Fremont United Methodist Church, 1869-1981 : a history

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013
http://archive.org/details/fremontunitedmetOOjack
A History
Of
Fremont United
Methodist Church
Fremont, North Carolina
^Orth Carolina State Library
Raleigh, N. C,
>nt Uni
Methodist Church
1869-1981
s
A History
By
Jock M. Benfield, Minister
PREFACE
Methodism had been in existence for well over a century
before Fremont had her first Methodist church. In fact, the
denomination had been in the United States (colonies) since
1766. "Phillip Embury, a lay preacher from Ireland, began to
preach in the city of New York. At about the same time Robert
Strawbridge, another lay preacher from Ireland, settled in
Frederick County, Maryland, and began the work there. In 1769
Wesley sent Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore to
America, and two years later, Francis Asbury, who became
the great leader of American Methodism." So states the 1980
BOOK OF DISCIPLINE of the United Methodist Church.
North Carolina Methodism began, according to many church
historians, when Joseph Pilmore preached at Currituck
courthouse on September 29, 1772, but the oldest established
congregation is Centenary, New Bern. This church began
holding services on December 25, 1772, with Joseph Pilmore
preaching.
It was not until about twenty-eight years later that a church
was established in Wayne County. The North Carolina Con-ference
Historical Directory indicates that Providence, south
of Goldsboro, and Bethel, near Hood Swamp, were founded
about 1800. They were followed by Salem, near Belfast, around
1805.
In our own neighborhood, Yelverton at Faro was founded
around 1845, and in nearby Wilson County, Stantonsburg
church was founded in 1833. These two churches were on the
main road from Waynesborough to Tarboro.
Methodist circuit riders may have passed through these
various communities many times on many unrecorded oc-casions
prior to these dates. They may have preached in
private homes, meeting places, school houses, and under bush
arbors. Our dates are from deeds and local church histories.
Fremont Methodist Church history begins in the days
following the Civil War, nearly a century after Methodism
came to our state. It was an era when many other churches
were also being established as a part of the reconstruction
effort. Among the twenty nine United Methodist Churches in
Wayne County, Fremont was the ninth to be founded. Ac-cording
to the deed, the date was March 25, 1869.
Following is a list of the Wayne County United Methodist
Churches in chronological order of their accepted founding
date:
1. Providence 1800
2. Bethel 1800
3. Salem 1805
4. Ebenezer 1840
5. Yelverton 1845
6. St. Paul, Goldsboro 1849
7. Smith Chapel 1853
8. Indian Springs 1853
9. FREMONT 1869
10. Pine Forest 1870
11. Mt. Olive 1870
12. Beston 1871
13. Falling Creek 1874
14. St. John, Goldsboro 1875
15. Mt. Carmel 1878
16. Daniels Memorial 1878
17. Eureka 1880
18. Zion 1881
19. Seven Springs 1891
20. Saulston 1892
21. St. Joseph's, Pikeville 1903
22. Garris Chapel 1909
(Please notice the gap!)
23. St. Luke 1950
24. Airboro, Goldsboro 1954
25. Westwood 1955
26. New Hope, Goldsboro 1956
27. Jefferson, Goldsboro 1957
28. Brogden 1958
29. Walker Memorial 1963
,
EARLY DAYS
In the only printed church history prior to this one, which was
a newspaper article for the Goldsboro News Argus, the
statement is made that "the story of the Methodist Church in
Fremont before March 25, 1869, is one of questioning and
surmise." Now, after much research by this author, that
statement remains true. Although the North Carolina Con-ference
Historical Directory indicates "founded about 1861
according to local church information," this information has
not been found or that date substantiated.
In the old conference journals, there is no record of "Wayne
Circuit," of which Fremont was a part, until 1869. There was a
"Wayne Mission" in 1867 and 1868 which may have been at any
of several locations in the county.
In the 1864 conference journal, a "Nahunta Colored Mission"
was listed "to be supplied." Whether this refers to the town (as
Fremont was then named) or to some other area of the vast
Nahunta Swamp is not known. This was the only time it was
listed.
In regard to the town and name, "Nahunta," the date of
March 25, 1869 (date of church deed) preceded the changing of
the name of the town from Nahunta to Fremont by just one
week, the latter being accomplished by an act of the General
Assembly on April 1, 1869. No significance is drawn from this
other than that a great deal of local history took place in that
week which was to affect greatly this community for years to
come. Then, too, some of the people involved in both incidences
were the same.
The church deed was between M.F. and Piety Jeffreys and
the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for the
purchaseof a piece of land "to erect and build a house or place
of worship for the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South." The trustees were A.J. Finlayson, Wm. Bryant, J.M.
Jenkins, J.J. Scott, J.J. Bardin, J.G. Barnes, and J.H. Barnes.
Of these, only J.J. Bardin and James H. Barnes appear in the
oldest membership book in our possession. They were probably
charter members. J.M. Jenkins shows up later in the same roll
book as having joined the church in 1894.
A.J. Finlayson was a local Methodist preacher who un-doubtedly
had a hand in the organization of the church, as he
later did with Mt. Carmel near Pikeville. According to an old
document among church records (undated), "In 1869 the Rev.
A.J. Finlayson, a local Methodist Preacher. ..who also founded
the Mt. Carmel Church near Pikeville. ..was preaching in the
old Lodge which stood where the Community Building now
stands and with the help of others organized the Fremont
Methodist Church." The document goes on to give the date of
December 10, which is incorrect, and the names of the trustees,
all of which are correct except one, J.M. Perkins, who is not
listed on the deed.
Even though A.J. Finlayson may have been holding services
in the Nahunta Masonic Lodge at that time, he was doing so as
a local preacher. He therefore was not ordained and appointed,
per se, and he was not listed in the conference journal. A great
man he was, however! In the Raleigh Christian Advocate,
there is an address by the Reverend Jno N. Andrews (our first
minister of record) on the occasion of the laying of the cor-nerstone
of Goldsboro M.E. Church, South, on July 12, 1883. In
that address, Mr. Andrews stated, "A.J. Finlayson also
became a local preacher. He was not educated, but he was
converted; not eloquent, but earnest. No citizen of Wayne has
impressed himself for good upon the religious public for two
generations as did Finlayson for the nearly thirty years of his
ministry. After the war Wayne and Lenoir circuits were
revived and rebuilt through his instrumentality. He was in-strumental
in building seven churches. He gave bountifully of
time and money to the cause of Christ, and his death was one of
great calmness and peace." A.J. Finlayson was born August
20, 1824, and died on July 9, 1881. Since he was not a conference
member, no memoir appears in the conference journal.
We do not have the first membership roll book from 1869 to
1886, therefore our records are incomplete, including the
names of charter members. J.J. Scott, J.G. Barnes, and Wm.
Bryant may have appeared on that earlier roll, but it is also
o
(J
o
E
01
3
u
o>
possible that they were never members of the church since this
was not necessary in order to be a trustee of the church.
We know something about some of the trustees from secular
documents. J.J. Scott was the first mayor of Fremont. J.J.
Bardin (also spelled Barden) was the druggist. M.F. Jeffreys,
from whom the land was purchased, was a town commissioner.
He later joined the church in 1893, but his wife, Piety, did not
join until 1901. Jeff M. Jenkins was the policeman in 1880 and
also the Fremont reporter for the Goldsboro Carolina
Messenger during the 1870's.
Old newspaper accounts state that the Methodist Church was
the first and only church in town for several years, although
there were other churches nearby such as Aycock Primitive
Baptist, Memorial Primitive Baptist and Yelverton Methodist
Episcopal, South. Then, too, it was possible that the Old Lodge
was used occasionally by other church groups. It was quite
common for a building in those days to be used as a church,
school, and for town meetings and other meetings. Old Lodge
was occupied by the Masons upstairs and was used as a church
and school downstairs. Governor Charles B. Aycock attended
school there from 1867 to 1872, which was the same time that
Methodist services were being held there.
Some old church stationary in 1928 states at the top: "old
church built in 1876" and "our aim-new church 1928-29". Other
information states that the first building was constructed in
1873. Why it took four to seven years to construct a building on
the property is not known.
1894-1932, Washington district
1932 1954, New Bern district
1954 Goldsboro district was formed. Fremont has been in
this district since then.
THE MINISTERS
There have been thirty-eight ministers who have served the
Fremont church. John N. Andrews is the only one to have been
appointed two times. As explained in a previous section, AJ.
Finlayson is not counted among these ministers since there is
no official documentation that he was ever appointed to the
Wayne circuit prior to 1869. He is recognized, nevertheless, as
most definitely having an important part to play in the foun-ding
of the church.
Even though the annual conference session met in December
in those earlier years and the ministers probably did not arrive
on the scene until January of the following year, for the pur-pose
of computation the year of the listing of the appointment
in the journal is the year used as the beginning of a tenure. For
instance, John N. Andrews is listed in the 1868 journal as
having been appointed in December of that year to serve the
Wayne circuit. Since the deed was dated on March 25, 1869, one
can assume that John N. Andrews was the first minister of-ficially
assigned. There is a possibility that A.J. Finlayson may
have unofficially served at that point in time until the
December, 1869, session of annual conference. For that reason,
it is difficult to give the first minister an absolutely clear
starting point. Nevertheless, as stated above, John N. Andrews
is being listed as first.
CHARGE ALIGNMENTS
It is difficult to ascertain the churches on the circuit in the
early days since the conference journals did not list them by
name until 1926. Prior to that time, beginning in 1883, only the
number of churches and-or Sunday Schools was given.
Fremont became a part of the Wayne Circuit in 1869 which
was one of just a few charges in the New Bern district. We are
not sure what other churches or how many were on this circuit.
Nearby churches existing at that time were Yelverton and
Salem, both of which were possibilities. It is more likely that
Wayne Circuit covered the churches in Wayne County.
In 1873, Lebanon Church in Greene County is listed in the
North Carolina Historical Directory as having been on the
Fremont (actually Wayne) circuit. Another church begun that
year was Black Creek, therefore we probably were associated
with these two churches, from their birth for many years.
The first statistical data on the Wayne circuit appears in the
1883 journal, noting 5 Sunday Schools, 438 members, one
parsonage valued at $700 and 5 churches valued at $6,000. The
pastor's salary was $700 (same as the parsonage value!). To
put things further in proper perspective, there were only 183
ministerial members of the conference which covered the
entire state of North Carolina! We are supposing that the five
churches at that time were Fremont, Beaman's Chapel (later
Eureka), Yelverton, Black Creek, and Lebanon.
Saulston was organized in 1892 and became an entry into the
membership roll book for the Fremont circuit in that same
year, making a total of six churches. It appears that Saulston
remained on the charge until 1920. Lebanon left the circuit,
according to the membership book, about 1917. With these two
churches apart by 1920, the circuit became a four-point charge
wiih Fremont, Black Creek, Yelverton, and Beaman's Chapel.
This charge alignment continued for the next thirty-four years,
which may be a record for four-point circuits!
In 1954, Fremont became a station church for the first time in
her history. Eureka and Yelverton became a two-point charge,
as they remain today; and Black Creek became a part of the
Rocky Mount district.
The charge was known as the Wayne circuit from 1869 to
1888, at which time it became the Fremont circuit. It was called
this until 1954.
The district alignments were as follows:
1869-1890, New Bern district (The North Carolina Con-ference
separated from the W.N.C. Conference in 1889)
1890-1894, Wilson district
1868-73
JOHN N. ANDREWS does not appear on another list of the
church's ministers as the first pastor; however, he is listed in
the conference journals as the pastor of the Wayne circuit
during this period of time. He was born on June 21, 1826, the son
of Dr. S.A. Andrews of Wayne County. He was educated for a
physician and entered the practice. According to Dr. Edgar
Perkins' scrapbook "he was regarded as a disbeliever in
Divine Revelation, but having a Christian woman for a patient,
and witnessing her triumphant death, he became deeply af-fected
and at once sought the Christian's faith. He joined the
church, entered the ministry, and his pious labors have been
abundantly blessed." He professed faith at Holt's mill near
Princeton in 1849. He also served the Wayne circuit in 1882-84.
In 1885, he took 2-3 weeks off to visit his children, riding almost
400 miles with his wife. He died on the return trip to Roanoke
circuit where he was serving. He is buried in Goldsboro.
THE WAYNE CIRCUIT WAS
DISTRICT IN 1869
IN THE NEW BERNE
1873-75
R.A. WILLIS was born in Rockingham County, February 19,
1836. He was the father of the Reverend R.H. Willis. He joined
the conference in 1858 and served the church for 50 years. He
was a presiding elder (district superintendent) for four dif
ferent districts. He died in 1910 and is buried in Littleton, N.C.
1875-77 X*"****^ 1881 82
F.H. WOOD is listed in the conference journal as appointed to
the Wayne circuit for these years and is on the list of ministers
appearing in a newspaper article in the early 1940's. He is not
on another list of ministers, however, in the church archives.
Nothing more is known about him.
W.H. CALL is not listed among the chronological deceased
ministers of the conference which means that he either was a
local preacher or had moved to another conference or had
dropped out of the ministry before his death. Nothing is known
about him.
1882-84
JOHN N. ANDREWS served the Wayne circuit for a second
time. See above
1877 79
W.C. GANNON is listed in the conference journal as having
served these two years and is also listed in the above article as
"Cannon," a misspelling. Nothing more is known about him. .
-'*"
1884-87
RUFUS CICERO BEAMAN was born in 1860 in Rocky Mount.
He joined the conference in 1877 as a 17-year-old lad, and spent
almost fifty years as an itinerant minister. He later became a
presiding elder on two occasions: Wilson district in 1897-98 and
the Durham district 1910-13. He was a General Conference
delegate in 1910. He served some of the larger churches in the
conference. He was called Dr. Beaman which was probably an
honorary title since he appears to have been self-educated.
Eureka was begun as Beaman's Chapel in 1887 according to the
deed and Dr. Beaman's tenure, although an earlier date is
ascribed as being 1880 for the church's founding. He died in 1926
and is buried in Willow Dale Cemetery in Goldsboro.
1879-81
N.M. JURNEY was assigned to Wayne circuit for these two
years and is listed as having a Fremont address, the first such
address listed in a journal. No memoir could be found of him
either.
1887-89
W.J. CROWSON has no memoir in the conference journal nor is
he listed in the chronological deceased roll. Nothing is known
about him.
The Circuit was called Fremont circuit for the first time in
1889. It should be noted also that the North Carolina Conference
divided from the Western North Carolina Conference in this
same year.
Rockingham called him "a patriarch in Methodism." His
memoir notes that when "gas buggies came out, he built one
for himself." He was 94 years old when he died on December
23, 1951. He is buried in Raleigh. His daughter-in-law, Jean,
lives in Smithfield, and is quite active in Goldsboro district
activities.
1889 93
W.W. ROSE was born in 1858 in Warren County and died in
1913. He is buried in Franklinton, N.C.
Fremont circuit became a part of the Wilson district in 1892.
Fremont circuit was in the Washington district in 1895.
1899-01
1893-95
W.H. PUCKETT was born on March 17, 1856, in Tyrell County.
According to his memoir, he was reared in the church and
became superintendent of Sunday School at 17 years of age and
learned to exhort at 18. He began to preach at age 20 and
"attended school between laying by the crop and the gathering
of the same." He died in 1912 and is buried at Smithfield.
FRANCIS BRAGG McCALL was born February 26, 1858, in
Scotland County. His first wife died when their son was three
weeks old. He married a second time and was the father of
three more sons and six daughters. His memoir speaks of his
mother and her diligence in training him and his siblings:
"When he was but a lad, she would take a lunch, for it was four
miles to their church, St. John's, and she and the boy would
walk to church. The effect of such training was manifest. Out of
that house went three into the itinerancy (ministry)." He died
in 1928 and is buried in Gibson, North Carolina.
'}
1901-02
THOMAS J. DAILEY was born in 1849 in Alamance County.
His memoir in the journal was written by another of our
ministers, B.P. Robinson. He was converted in 1877 at about
age 28, was licensed to preach in 1880 and served for a while as
a lay preacher. Then he joined the conference in 1883. His
health failed in 191 1 and he finally retired in 1914. He was living
with a daughter in Deland, Florida when he died in 1935.
1895 99
CONDOR PARSON JEROME was born June 16, 1857, in
Mecklenburg County. He retired after serving Pikeville and his
son, Robert L. Jerome, was appointed to follow him on the
same charge. Robert went on to serve the church well and is
now deceased. Bishop Costen J. Harrell wrote a daughter of his
affection for the elder Mr. Jerome, stating that he (Jerome)
was his (Harrell's) pastor when he went away to college and a
devoted friend and helper always. The Post Dispatch in
•
1902-06 1918-22
D.L. EARNHARDT was born in 1854 in Salisbury, North
Carolina. He was the father of the Reverend Daniel Edwin
Earnhardt. This is mentioned because the latter joined the
church as a youngster in May, 1904, and later served the
conference as a minister until his death in 1976. A third-generation
minister, the Reverend Edwin L. Earnhardt,
grandson of D.L., is presently serving Rose Hill United
Methodist Church. D.L. Earnhardt died in 1928 and is buried in
Durham, N.C.
190608
WILLIAM TAYLOR PHIPPS was born in 1881 in Towsen,
Maryland. He was a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic In-stitute
with an engineering degree. He worked for a while with
an oil company before he heard the call to the ministry. He
went then to Vanderbilt University and joined the conference in
1907. After serving the church for 43 years, he retired in 1949.
He was described as a strong, robust man. He used his training
as an engineer and architect. The first church he helped to
design and build was the church at Swan Quarter, the one
which replaced the "church moved by the hand of God." He
died in 1968 and is buried in Pittsboro, North Carolina.
1922 25
JAMES ADOLPHUS DAI LEY was born on May 23, 1868, in
Alamance County. He was married to Matilda Howland of
Graham. They had three children. His memoir states that he
had "a great gift as an exhorter and was at his best at
revivals." He died on November 18, 1945, of a heart attack at
Duke Hospital.
-x
CHARLES ROBERT TAYLOR was born November 29, 1855, at
Seaboard, North Carolina. He joined the Virginia Conference in
1878. He also served in Arkansas for four years. His memoir
states that he described himself as a skilled "cotton-picker"
and liked to be called a "cotton pickin' preacher." He died on
August 27, 1908, while serving the Fremont circuit. He is buried
in Greenville, Virginia.
1908 10
BENSON H BLACK was born in Monroe, North Carolina, the
son ol a noted Methodist minister, Dr. William S. Black, editor
of the Raleigh Christian Advocate and a presiding elder
Benson Black attended Trinity College (now Duke) where he
played football and was a big supporter of Duke athletics all of
his lite He retired in 1941, died in 1946, and is buried in
Durham, North Carolina.
.•~..»
1925-27
NATHAN BRADLEY STRICKLAND was born in 1878 in
Johnston County. He became a teacher at age 20 and later was
a principal. He was called to preach and was admitted into the
conference in 1911 at age 33. After serving for 38 years, he
retired in 1949. His father was a minister as were two of his
brothers. He died at the Methodist Retirement Home in
Durham on June 9, 1958, and is buried in Johnston County.
1910 14
RUFUS RHODES GRANT was born October 13, 1871, in
Northampton County. He died February 23, 1946, and was
buried in Fairfield, North Carolina.
1914 18
JULIAN LEE CRAFT RUMLEY was born in Beaufort, North
Carolina, on June 14, 1870. His memoir states that "delicate
health" kept him from serving many of the leading ap-pointments.
He retired in 1924 at age 54 for health reasons. He
died in 1928 and is buried at Farmville, North Carolina.
1927-29
ROBERT E. PITTMAN was born in 1867 in Lenoir County. He
was married to Eugenia Coward of Griffon and they had seven
children. He was a former river boat captain on the Neuse
River and often related stories of his ventures. He was known
throughout the conference as "Captain Bob," but locally some
of the youth nicknamed him "Steamboat Bob." He died in 1936
and is buried in Durham.
1929-33
JSSKmamm
KIRBY FORMY DUVAL was born in 1884 in Brunswick
County. He is described in his memoir as a "great circuit
rider," having served sixteen charges over 40 years, mostly
rural multi-church charges. He died in 1964 and is buried in
Durham.
1941-44
BENJAMIN PORTIVANT ROBINSON was born August 27,
1880. He was called to preach at age 23, and served the
Methodist Church tor 39 years. Fremont was his last ap-pointment,
retiring in 1944. His memoir describes "his broad
smile, friendly greeting, and the sunshine of his soul." Mrs.
Robinson (Victoria) suffered a partial stroke of paralysis while
they were at Fremont. It was while he was pastor that the brick
renovation and addition was completed and dedicated. Bishop
Clare Purcell came for the dedication service. Mr. Robinson
died on November 26, 1952 and is buried in Raeford, North
Carolina.
1944-47
JOHN CEPHAS WILLIAMS was born on August 20, 1882. His
wife was Maggie Lee Dixon of Rockingham County. On Oc-tober
26, 1947, Mr. Williams preached his last sermon at
Fremont on the subject, "The Place of the Church and Religion
in the Life of Man." In that sermon he said there were three
things a Methodist preacher must be ready to do: (1) preach
(2) move (3) die. After the service, he went immediately
across the street to the parsonage, lay down on his bed and
died. His memoir, from which this information is taken, fur-ther
states that "the board of stewards of the Fremont Church
drove in a body the 150 miles (to Rockingham County) to the
graveside to attend the last rites of their beloved pastor." He is
the "Williams" of the Hooks-Williams Circle.
1933-37
EDGAR RALPH SHULLER is now retired and living with his
wife, Mary, at Yaupon Beach, Southport, North Carolina. He
transferred to the North Carolina Conference from North
Arkansas in 1930 and served Kenly and Garner before
Fremont. He served eight other charges after he left this
charge until his retirement in 1968.
1947-49
LAFON C. VEREEN is presently the Administrator of the
Wesley Pines Retirement Home in Lumberton, North Carolina
where he has served with his wife, Joyce for the past six years.
He has been with the Methodist Retirement Homes since 1972.
He also served as Executive Secretary of the Conference Board
of Missions, as the Associate Director of our Conference staff in
the areas of witness, outreach, involvement. Other churches he
has served include Trinity (Wilmington), Fairmont (Raleigh),
Farmville, and Warrenton.
1937-41
CECIL WAYNE ROBBINS is retired and living with his wife,
Eloise, at 1202 Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, North Carolina. After
leaving Fremont, he served Mt. Olive and Warrenton. In 1949
he became editor of the North Carolina Christian Advocate. In
1955 he was named President of Louisburg College, a position
he held until he retired in 1974. At present he serves as a retired
supply pastor. Dr. Robbins was a Jurisdictional Delegate in
1952 and a General Conference Delegate in 1956, 1964, and 1968. 1949 (part)
8
JOHN D. CRANFORD was born in 1893 in Davidson County. He
served only a portion of 1949 at Fremont after Mr. Vereen was
re-assigned to Warrenton early in that year. Mr. Cranford died
in 1963 and is buried at Denton, North Carolina.
1949 1953
WILLIAM ELMER HOWARD was born in Denver, North
Carolina in 1895. Mrs. Howard (Bessie) lived in Mt. Olive for
some time after Mr. Howard died in 1968, but she is now
residing at the Methodist Retirement Home in Durham for the
past several years. Mr. Howard is buried in Goldsboro.
this time, the church had always been with three to five other
churches. The six years he served were among the most
productive in many ways, most notably in membership gains.
The people recognized his ministry by naming the new
educational building in his honor. After leaving Fremont, he
served the following churches: Wallace, Divine Street (Dunn),
Hay Street ( Fayetteville), and now Edenton Street (Raleigh),
the conference's largest church. At the 1979 annual conference
session, he was selected to be the "favorite son" candidate for
the episcopacy and became the official nominee at the 1980
session. The elections were held at the Southeastern
Jurisdictional Conference, Lake Junaluska, in July, 1980, but
Dr. Kirby was not elected. He is married to the former Sally
Broome, whose mother, Mrs. L.R. (Dot) Broome, is presently
a member of the church. Dr. Kirby was a delegate to the 1976
and 1980 General and Jurisdictional Conferences.
1960-64
JOHN HERBERT WALDROP, JR. is presently serving in the
Wilmington District, having just recently returned to the
conference boundaries after serving various administrative
positions with a nursing home, as a drug consultant, with
alcoholic rehabilitation, etc. He was the minister when the
present parsonage was built.
1953-54
DAVID MILTON LEWIS died on December 30, 1979, during the
writing of this history. At the time of his death he was serving
the Troy circuit, in his fourth year there. He served the con
ference for 32 years. He was the last minister on the Fremont
circuit. His memoir in the 1980 journal states that he was born
on December 26, 1911 in Hertford, North Carolina. He was a
graduate of Atlantic Christian College and Asbury Theological
Seminary with a term in the Navy in between. He served the
Church for over 31 years. Although he was 68 years old at the
time of his death, he had not yet retired. On Sunday morning,
December 16, 1979, he suffered an aneurism and "succumbed
to the Lord's ultimate call" two weeks later. See the section on
Membership Books for a quotation by him.
Fremont became a station appointment in 1954. The Gold-sboro
District was also formed as a new district in the same
year.
1954 60
1964-68
EDWARD PORTER ARMSTRONG is presently serving as an
associate minister with the Pamlico Parish, and is residing
with his family at 1102 Cherry Lane, New Bern, North Carolina.
1968-69
KERMIT L. BRASWELL is serving as the District Superin-tendent
of the Elizabeth City District, after serving five years
at Queen Street (Kinston), and six years at Westover
(Raleigh). He was a Jurisdictional Conference Delegate in
1980.
WALLACE HINES KIRBY began his itinerant ministry at
Fremont as the first "fulltime" minister of the church. Prior to
—v~.
1962-72
E. CLIFFORD SHOAF is presently serving Mebane since 1978,
after six years as the Director of Field Education, Duke
Divinity School. He and his family reside at 205 S. Fourth St.,
Mebane, North Carolina.
retirement, he was designated "superintendent emeritus."
The children referred to him as "Daddy Barnes."
His funeral was held on March 22, 1961, at Edenton St.
Methodist Church in Raleigh. He was buried at Raleigh's Oak-wood
Cemetery.
1972-76
RUSSELL S. HARRISON and his wife, Julia, are retired and
living at 2629 Cornwallis Road, Durham, North Carolina, after
serving for 42 years in our conference.
THE REV. P.C. YELVERTON was born on January 8, 1933 at
the Wayne County farm of his parents, Thomas Jarvis and
Madie Bell Minshew Yelverton. After the death of his mother in
1936, he was reared in Fremont by his aunt, Miss Clyde M.
Minshew, a present member of the church, and his grand-mother,
Mrs. Pernecie West Minshew, who died in 1948. He
joined the church at the age of 16.
He graduated from Fremont High School in 1950, Atlantic
Christian College in 1953, and took further studies at Duke
Divinity School.
He was ordained Deacon in 1955 and Elder in 1957 and has
served the church for 27 years in the North Carolina Con-ference.
His appointments have been Pollocksville Charge,
Kinston Charge, Brogden Church, Dover Church, Hopewell-
Moriah Charge, Browning-Smith Charge and presently the
Faison United Methodist Church in the Goldsboro District.
1976 I.
JACK M. BENFIELD is the present minister. His wife is the
former JJaannee Wrenn tC_ooaatteess ofr Gearner,. They have two
i ney nave daughters, Terri, age 20, at Peace College, and Susan, age 17,
at home. He served as a Jurisdictional and General Conference
Delegate in 1980.
SONS OF THE CHURCH
THE REV. A. S. BARNES was born July 11, 1873, to Mr. and
Mrs. Wiley Barnes, members of the church. After receiving his
education in Fremont, he went on to attend and was graduated
from Trinity College (now Duke University). He was admitted
on trial into the North Carolina Conference in 1896. Five
charges are listed in his memoir, namely: Wilmington,
Whiteville, Clinton, Oxford, and Smithfield. In 1915, he became
superintendent of the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh,
remaining in that position for 33 years. In 1948, upon his
10
MEMBERSHIP BOOKS
(1) The oldest membership roll book in the archives is
probably the second one which existed. The first one from 1869
to 1886 is lost. The oldest one on hand has the date 1886 on the
title page, dating it at or after that time. It is assumed from all
evidence that R.C. Beaman revised the rolls sometime around
1886 87. This is based on the entries. At the time of the revision,
the members' names were alphabetized and numbered only 79.
From that point on until September, 1900, the members were
listed chronologically. There were 192 members added to the
roll in that period of time; however, with the losses by death,
transfer, withdrawal, etc., the net membership in 1900 was still
only 125. Toward the end of the book, the membership is again
alphabetized by either T.J. Dailey or D.L. Earnhardt; and once
again, beginning in January, 1903, the membership roll was
kept chronologically until April, 1906. The only member
presently living whose names appears in this book is Miss
Ethel Cooke. She joined the church on March 25, 1906, when she
was 14 years old.
(2) The second oldest membership book in the archives has
the rolls of the six churches on the Fremont circuit at that
time; namely Fremont, Beaman's Chapel, Lebanon, Saulston,
Yelverton, and Black Creek. Some confusion exists in this
book. Entries are made in the previous book until 1906, yet it
appears that this book was begun around 1901 by looking at the
register of marriages. Upon closer examination of the writing,
ink, etc., it is believed that this book was kept concurrently
with the first one for a portion of time, and that someone
transferred certain recorded information that was dated
earlier. This book is on microfilm in the State Archives and
History Library in Raleigh.
The last date of an entry appears to be in 1928. This book is in
great need of repair, but then after 22 years of constant use as a
membership book for six churches, there is no wonder!
(3)The next membership roll book was revised by R.E.
Pittman, and undoubtedly in this book there was also some
overlap during the process. The first marriage registered was
on December 14, 1927, but it appears that the first five
marriages recorded were all copied the same day with the
same pen, the last being June 7, 1928. This coincides with the
last entry in book two.
This particular book has the rolls of four churches: Fremont,
Eureka (formerly Beaman's Chapel), Yelverton, and Black
Creek. It appears from other evidence that these four churches
became a four-point charge about 1920, an arrangement that
remained that way for the next thirty-four years.
Probably the last entry into this book was a note on the
Register of Pastors page, written by the Reverend David M.
Lewis. It reads "The Fremont Methodist Circuit was divided
on September 5, 4:30 p.m. in Eureka Methodist Church. The
First Methodist Church, Fremont, N.C., the Eureka-Yelverton
Methodist Charge, and Black Creek, transfered to the Rocky
Mount District. The charge was divided, and I was the last
pastor of the Fremont Methodist Circuit, (signed) Rev. David
M. Lewis Sept. 6, 1954." This is the only time the church has
been called "First Methodist Church."
There were about 160 members on roll in 1928 when this book
was begun. The roll was then kept chronologically until 1952 at
which time it was once again alphabetized within the same
book.
(4) The fourth membership roll book was revised in October,
1953, with the number of members entered at 282. The
Reverend David M. Lewis was the pastor at that time. It is not
certain why he chose to write the above statement in the other
book rather than this one. This fourth book has the rolls for all
of the churches on the charge, namely, Fremont, Eureka,
Black Creek, and Yelverton.
(5) The membership roll was once again revised in August,
1955, under the pastoral leadership of Wallace H. Kirby. After
the revision, the number entered into the new book was 252. As
mentioned before, the church became a station appointment in
1954, and Mr. Kirby was the first fulltime pastor for the next six
years. These proved to be the most prolific years in mem-bership
gain. Mr. Kirby received 146 members into the church.
During the same period, 69 were lost by death, transfer, etc.
Still the net gain of 77 new members was quite substantial for
this town and country church! The membership had grown to
313 in 1960. This book was used by the next five ministers until
1976.
(6) The present membership book was updated and revised
as of 1976 under the present pastoral administration. See the
section on More Recent Days for information regarding deaths
since June, 1976. One will also find a list of full members at the
end of this book.
LEADERSHIP
In this section certain positions of leadership have been
selected. The fact that these individuals are lifted up is based
primarily on the availability of information regarding names,
dates, etc. as well as their importance. There are many others
through the years who have given untiring effort and time in
many different capacities whose names do not appear on a list.
This is in no way to lessen what they have meant to the church.
Board Chairpersons
No information is available for the years prior to 1913.
191314 George D. Best
1914-26
1926-27
1927 54
No information available
for these years.
J.B. Lane
No information available
for these years. Marvin
Yelverton and James
Bruton thought to have
served some during the
1954-55
1955-56
1956-57
1957-59
195961
1961-62
1962-64
1964 66
1966-67
1967-68
latter part of this period,
but no definite dates.
Thurman Hooks
Glenn Hooks
John B. Mayo
Jesse S. Stewart
Samuel J. Cole
John L. Pippin
Leonard Hooks
Wyatt Whitley
James Bruton
James E. Peacock, Sr.
In 1968, the name changed from Official Board of Stewards to
The Administrative Board
1968-70
1970-72
1972-77
Cecil Evans
Jim Sutton Cobb
Jesse S. Stewart
Beginning in 1973, church years coincided with calendar years
instead of June to June or in the iate fall as in earlier years.
1978-79
1980
F. Lemuel Overman
Mrs. Leroy (Betsy) Johnson
Please note that Betsy Johnson was the first woman to serve in
this capacity.
Lay Leaders
No information is available for period prior to 1923 or for the
years 1930-50.
1923-24 F.M. Watson (church)
G.A. Yelverton (charge)
1924 26 G.R. Benton
1926-30 J. Arthur Best (charge & church)
1950-57 Paul C. Blalock, Sr.
1957-63 John Blackman
1963 66 Thurman Hooks
1966-68 James E. Peacock, Sr.
1968-70 W. Darron Flowers
1970-72 John Blackman
Beginning in 1973, church years coincided with calendar years.
1973-74
1975-78
1979-
Dan Shackleford
W. Darron Flowers
Ken Ellis
Treasurers
No information is available for the years prior to 1939 except
the following:
1905-? W.M. Barnes
1929-30 OR. Aycock
1930-31 J.B. Exum
1934.35 G.A. Yelverton
Other years known are as follows:
1939-40 CD. Hooks
1947-49 Marvin Yelverton
1949-62 James Bruton
1962-68 Burton D. Smith
1968-70 Mrs. Norman (Annette) Yelverton
1970-78 James Bruton
1978- Burton D. Smith
Sunday School Superintendents
No information isavailable prior to 1903 and for the years 1941-
49. It is known mat J.B. Exum, Jr. served longer than 1941 but
it is not known when he stopped or who took his place.
1903-04
1904-36
I 1
32 years!)
P.H. Spence
J. Arthur Best
1936 41 plus J.B. Exum, Jr.
1949 50 James Bruton
1950 53 Thurman Hooks
1953 59 John B. Mayo
1959 61 Samuel J. Cole
1961 63 J.J. Cole, Jr.
1963 65 L.C. Robinson
1965 77 (12 years!) Homer Pierce
1978 80 Dan Shackleford
1981 Bobby Cooley
Organists
In the 1880's and early 1890's the accompanist tor the church
services was Mrs. J.L. (Maude Barden) Bryan.
It is also known that in 1903 the pianist-organist was Miss
Alice Best.
For several years, the accompanist was Charity Darden.
Though the above information is sketchy, it was felt that the
names should be included even if the dates were uncertain.
An October 13, 1928, report of the Woman's Missionary
Society indicated the giving of "$940 to church building under
construction." That was a tremendous gift in that day!
1917-44 (27 years!)
1944-54
Jarvis Hare Jones
Mrs. Joe (Louise) Newsome
It should be noted that it was during this time that the ac-companist,
Mrs. Newsome was also playing for the Missionary
Baptist Church on alternate Sundays. The choirs also sang at
both churches.
1954 66
1966-
Mrs. Leland (Ladelle) Pate
Mrs. Lemuel (Sylvia) Overman
It should be noted also that there were some months of
overlapping when two or more of the accompanists were ac-tive.
BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENTS
"The original church was a frame building, one room, and
was completed in 1873. The church bell was on a post in the
front yard but was later transferred to its proper place in the
steeple." So states a local brief history. It continues: "During
the early part of the century, a section of the front of the church
was partitioned off for Sunday School rooms. Over the years
minor changes in the pulpit and choir loft were also made."
From the March 23, 1923, quarterly conference minutes,
James A. Dailey, the pastor, mentions "plans for a new church
building for Fremont in the near future." The stewards that
year were G.D. Best, J.B. Lane, G.A. Yelverton, E.B.
Yelverton, E.C. Cobb, G.R. Benton, E.G. Deans, J.B. Exum.
The Church Lay Leader was F.M. Watson. Other leaders in-cluded
J. A. Best (Evangelism), Mrs. CD. Hooks (Missionary
Committee), Miss Beulah Hooks (Social Service), G.D. Best
(Stewardship and Tithing), J.B. Lane (Lay Activities).
On January 7, 1924, the pastor reported to the quarterly
conference that "the charge was planning through the efforts
largely of the Women's Societies to put water works in the
parsonage at an early date."
No further mention is made in the quarterly conference
reports about building until January 23, 1926, when N.B.
Strickland, P.C. (Pastor in charge) writes in his report that
there is a "great need for Sunday School rooms and efficient
teachers" in Fremont.
Then a year later on January 16, 1927, a similar report states
"a lack of Sunday School rooms and sufficient number of
teachers." Nothing more that year.
Still another year later on January 22, 1928, the pastor, R.E.
Pittman, wrote that a "carload of brick was given toward a
new church at Fremont and unless this unselfish gift inspires
others to do likewise, I shall be very much disappointed." Six
months later, on June 16, he wrote, "We hope to begin on a new
church at Fremont. Cash is coming in well and enough has
been raised to justify a start. We hope that this new church will
soon be a reality."
12
On April 4, 1929, a resolution was passed at quarterly con-ference
authorizing the trustees to "accept a donation from the
Duke Endowment for the purpose of completing the Fremont
Methodist Church, South." No amount was specified. Then on
September 13, 1929, "our Sunday School building at Fremont
has been started and when completed it will be ample for
future needs of the church."
In the March 16, 1930, minutes still another resolution was
passed "to accept a donation of $2,000 from Duke Endowment
for completing the Fremont Methodist Church, South, par-ticularly
for immediate help on the Sunday School annex." At
the September 14, 1930, quarterly conference, it was stated
"Our Sunday School building at Fremont which we are now
enclosing, will be a great help to our work there."
Why was the completion of this building and renovation work
taking so long? The reader will remember that the carload of
bricks was donated over two and a half years before. Those
who lived then could best answer with one word,
"Depression!" It was not just a one year phenomenon. K.F.
Duval, P.C, in his February 21, 1932, Q.C. report wrote, "Most
of our folk have lost heavily of this world's goods and some
about all they possessed; and, of course, this has had its weight
on many a life. I have tried, God helping me, to encourage such
not to lose their grip on God."
He and God must have been successful as we see evidenced
today and as we see from the record on February 24, 1935, in
E.R. Shuller's report, "the church at Fremont expects to begin
work on the Sunday School annex some time next month. They
have collected and pledged at the present time between four
and five hundred dollars for that purpose." That amount was
probably worth considerably more in 1935 than it was prior to
the Depression.
After another couple of years of struggling, the report at
quarterly conference on May 1, 1937, was "the Fremont Church
School has five new class rooms available which will greatly
relieve the congestion in the church auditorium." If the reader
will recall, they needed this relief in 1923!
"Plans are under way to complete the church building at
Fremont this year. This will involve an expenditure of ap-proximately
$1,250." So states a March 20, 1938, pastor's
report. And on July 16, 1939, "During the quarter, five ad-ditional
Sunday School rooms have been plastered at
Fremont."
According to the brief local history, previously referred to,
the interior of the educational building was completed in 1941
or 1942. This agrees with an article (no date or name of
newspaper) which was published at the dedication of the
building and renovation. In part this article reads "Fremont
Methodists Sunday night will dedicate their recently
remodeled church structure. Bishop Clare Purcell of Charlotte
will preach and a special invitation is extended to all former
pastors and members to be present, the Rev. B.P. Robinson,
pastor of the church said."
"The completed project represented an investment of about
$5,000 for the 250 members of the church and all bills were paid
as the work progressed. A baptismal font has been installed
and an electric cross placed. Ten memorial windows have been
placed." The article then goes on to give information which is
being shared elsewhere. The article has a picture of Rev. B.P.
Robinson, the new completed church, and the old church.
However, someone made a mistake. The picture of the old
church is not our church but some other! It looks nothing like
the picture which you will find at the first of this book.
Nothing else appears in the quarterly conference minutes for
several years concerning building and improvements. David
AA. Lewis was the pastor in 1954 and on September 5, wrote of
"a piece of land being donated in the rear of the Fremont
Church in order that our present plant might be enlarged to
meet the present and future needs of our church and com-munity."
The local history states that "in 1957 the congregation
erected a modern educational building on the rear lot at a cost
of $41,000. It houses six classrooms, a fellowship hall, kitchen,
minister's study, lounge, and toilet facilities. The Exum family
gave the furnishing for the building in memory of John B.
Exum (Jr.) who was superintendent of the Sunday School for a
number of years."
N^Hk
This building was dedicated by Bishop Paul N. Garber on
May 22, 1960, as the Wallace Hines Kirby Building in honor of
the minister serving the church from 1954-60 during the con-struction.
Mr. Kirby was also the first fulltime minister for the
Fremont Church, the charge having been divided in 1954.
The parsonage at that time also had been needing renovation
for some time. After the dedication of the Kirby Building, in-terest
began in renovating the parsonage which was built in
late 1909 or early 1910.
In October, 1960, the plans for remodeling the home were
presented to the Official Board. The estimated cost was
$6,398.47. There was interest at the time for both remodeling
the old parsonage and building a new one. Committees were
appointed to investigate and obtain the data regarding both
plans.
A report was given in May, 1961, regarding remodeling at a
cost of $8,300 and two plans for building a new parsonage were
submitted at a cost of $14,200 and $15,200 respectively. Action
was deferred until later.
i ~i&2i
*mmt. m
meetings, and board meetings, it was finally decided by the
Official Board on August 12, 1962, to "authorize the parsonage
building committee to submit plans to contractors for bids on
the new parsonage." The work was begun in March, 1963 and
was completed in November at a cost of $19,500. Different
organizations and individuals donated the furnishings. The
$11,000 note for parsonage indebtedness on November 2, 1963,
was paid in full on April 9, 1968.
The old parsonage which stood where the present parsonage
now stands was built in late 1909 or early 1910. The deed for the
property was dated March 25, 1909 and was purchased from the
Person family by the church for $750. The trustees at that time
were G.D. Best, EC. Cobb, J.B. Exum, N.D. Minshew, F.E.
Sauls, and W.S. Lane. Of these, G.D. Best, E.C. Cobb, and J.B.
Exum were Fremont members. The others were members of
the other circuit churches. The property upon purchase ex-tended
all the way from Sycamore Street to the property of the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co.
On August 13, 1909, about five months after the purchase, a
portion of the lot was sold to J.R. Short on condition that "if the
party. ..shall not within two months from this date move and
locate upon the lot herein conveyed, the building used as a
Hotel, formerly the Bardin property, the title to the lot herein
conveyed shall upon repayment immediately revert."
Undoubtedly Mr. Short moved the Hotel to the property. This
is the front portion of the residence of Mrs. John B. Hooks, Jr. A
1902 map of the town showing the location of buildings and
dwellings does not show a building on that corner or where the
parsonage later stood, but it does show a large building in the
geographical center of the block behind the stores on Main
Street where no building now stands. It is our understanding
that this was where the old Bardin Hotel was located. Why did
the trustees want the building to be moved by Mr. Short to its
present location? One answer possibly was to provide more
privacy from the railroad station.
Thus, there have been parsonage families living across from
the church on the corner of Carolina and Sycamore Streets for
almost three quarters of a century!
m, •
•
After several months of deliberations, surveys, committee
13
- V
Before these two parsonages across the street from the
church, a parsonage was located about four blocks away, on
Goldsboro Street. This is now Mrs. Gela Flowers Musgrave's
home. The lot was purchased in 1883 from Mr. and Mrs. W.E.
Fountain. The trustees were J.J Bardin, J.H Barnes, G.D.
Best, W.E. Fountain, James Dickinson, E.S. Dees, and Jno K.
Smith. The deed read that it was "nearly a half acre together
with the houses. ..as a parsonage or house for the preacher in
charge of Wayne circuit of M.E. Church, South," This was the
parsonage for about 27 years.
Where the minister lived prior to this parsonage is not
known. We do know that the preacher in 1881 is listed in the
journal as living in Fremont. No deed, however, has been found
before the one above. Possibly he boarded with someone.
Other major improvements in building and renovations
include the remodeling of the sanctuary in 1966, especially the
chancel and choir areas. New carpeting, dorsal, and kneeling
cushions were installed at that time. The sanctuary was also
air-conditioned at this time.
The pastor's study was moved from the Kirby Building to the
educational annex in 1970. The Reverend E. Clifford Shoaf and
Cecil Evans paneled the study and did the major portion of the
work. Also in 1970, the sanctuary received a major painting and
other repairs.
A new heating and air-conditioning system was installed in
the Kirby Building in 1971.
The Men's Class converted the former pastor's study and
church office in the Kirby Building into a classroom for men in
1972. The parsonage was centrally air-conditioned in that same
year.
New sanctuary lights were installed in 1973 in memory of
Anne Turlington by Mrs. P.M. Best and other relatives and
friends.
The Junior High classroom was enlarged by removing
partitions in 1974. An organ fund was begun also in 1974.
A new air-conditioning unit was purchased in early 1976.
See "More Recent Days" for information since 1976.
WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS
The following synopsis of the history of Fremont's
organizations for women was submitted by Mrs. Bernard Pike,
who undoubtedly had saved it from many years ago. It has no
date. It appears to have been written after 1940. It is printed in
its entirety.
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF
"THE WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY"
OF THE
FREMONT METHODIST CHURCH
As best I can remember, about 1899 or 1900, a small group of
women, twelve or fifteen, I would say, most of them being
members of the Fremonf Methodist Church, organized a
society known as "Home Missions." If I remember correctly,
the Methodist Conference had two societies at this time, The
Home and The Foreign.
The charter members of our organization were: Mrs. W.H.
Speight, who at that time was in charge of the Fremont High
School and Dormitory; Miss Laurie Speight, daughter of Mrs.
W.H. Speight, and who later married Mr. J.B. Hooks; another
daughter of Mrs. W.H. Speight, Miss Daisy, who was the first
wife of Rev. A.S. Barnes; Miss Florence Fields, who married
Mr. CD. Hooks; Mrs. John Davis; Mrs. Geo. D. Best; Mrs.
A.G. Bogue, and Mrs. C.C. Aycock. There were others whose
names I cannot remember. I became a member late in the year
of 1900.
Mrs. C.C. Aycock was the first president of our HOME
MISSION SOCIETY. She was made a Life Member on the
occasion of the society's Annual Conference which was held in
our church in April, 1905. It is interesting to remember that we
werepriviledged in having as our guest at this Conference Miss
Bell H. Bennett, founder of Home Missions. Mrs. Aycock
served as president for a period of twenty-three years, during
which time the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies were
consolidated. Following her, Mrs. Gertrude Exum was elected
president and served eleven years. She retired about 1928,
being followed in order by Mrs. I.F. Yelverton, Mrs. CD.
Hooks, Mrs. CM. Pippin, Mrs. W.A. Copeland, Mrs. J.G.
Mayo, and Mrs. Beulah Hooks Scott.
The consolidation of the Home and Foreign Missions resulted
in the "Women's Missionary Society" whose responsibility
consisted chiefly in carrying on the mission work of "Young
People," "Bright Jewels," and "Baby Division." During the
year 1932 our organization was transferred from the
Washington District to become a part of the New Bern District.
On September 13, 1940 the name "Women's Missionary
Society" was changed to the "Women's Society Of Christian
Service."
The Charter Members have all passed away, as have many
other members. But we know their efforts were not in vain; for
the memory of the great work of those members who are with
us no more serves as an incentive for us. And I feel that the
accomplishments of our present membership of fifty is a fitting
and just tribute to the original "Home Missions."
Respectfully submitted,
Miss Lula Perkins
Author's Note: The organization continued to be called the
Women's Society of Christian Service until 1972 when it was
renamed The United Methodist Women, which it remains
today.
At present the United Methodist Women of Fremont has 73
members in four circles.
The Hooks-Williams Circle is named for Mrs. Clennon D.
(Florence) Hooks, mother of Charles T. Hooks, Sr., and for
Reverend John Cephas Williams, former minister of the
church who died in 1947 while serving Fremont.
The Exum Benton Circle is named for Mrs. George R.
(Margaret) Benton, Sr., mother of Margaret B. Whitley and
Annette B. Yelverton; and for Mrs. John Burt (Gertrude)
Exum, Sr., grandmother of Anne E. Hinnant.
The Annie Best Circle is named for Mrs. Paul M. (Annie)
Best, mother of Eleanor B. Turlington.
The Stewart-Pike Circle is named for present members, Mrs.
Jesse (Jessie) Stewart, who helped organize the circle in 1980;
and for Mrs. Bernard (Mariana) Pike, who served the church
for many years until she recently moved.
Presidents of Women's Organizations
1899-16 Mrs. C.C Aycock
1916 27 Mrs. J.B. (Gertrude) Exum, Sr.
1927 -30 Mrs. I. Frank (Mary Margaret) Yelverton
1930-31 Mrs. CD. Hooks
1931-34 Mrs. CM. Pippin
1934-35 Mrs. W.A. Copeland
1935-37 Mrs. J.G. Mayo
1937-38 Mrs. H.G. Selby
1938-40 Mrs. Beulah H. Scott
1940 42 Mrs. J.K (Christine) Richardson
1942 ? Mrs. Bernard (Mariana) Pike
Information incomplete on these years
J.B. (Sue) Hooks, Jr.
Marvin (Delia) Yelverton
J.M. (Helen) O'Neal
W.R. Dees
John (Libba) Blackman
Beulah H. Scott
Oscar (Evelyn) Turlington
Norman (Annette) Yelverton
Lamont (Polly) Whitley
Hugh (Eleanor) Turlington
Jesse (Jessie) Stewart
C. Taylor (Mary Jo) Hooks
Cecil (Hazel) Evans
Marvin (Delia) Yelverton
Russell (Julia) Harrison
Lamont (Polly) Whitley
Burton D. (Martha Lou) Smith
1948-49 Mrs.
1949-50 Mrs.
1950-51 Mrs.
1951-52 Mrs.
1952 54 Mrs.
1954-57 Mrs.
1957-59 Mrs.
195961 Mrs.
1961-63 Mrs.
1963-65 Mrs.
1965-67 Mrs.
1967-69 Mrs.
1969-72 Mrs.
1972-73 Mrs.
1974-75 Mrs.
1976 79 Mrs.
1980- Mrs.
14
MEMORIALS AND GIFTS
There have been many gifts in memory and in honor of
persons associated with Fremont United Methodist Church.
These cannot be listed in their entirety. For further knowledge,
please consult the Memorial book in the case in the vestibule of
the church. Listed below are some of the major gifts.
Stained Glass Windows (with inscriptions) c. 1942
G.D. Best 1848-1930 Steward 55 years
Clennon D. Hooks 1872-1941 and Florence Hooks 1886-1940
Pearl Sallenger Hayes 1886-1940
Jarvis Hare Jones - Organist 27 years
John B. Hooks and Laurie S. Hooks
Jake Goodman Mayo 1888-1940
Cora Becton Newsome 1857-1928
Matt Becton Peacock 1888-1918
Thomas Waters Corbin and Susie Boggs Corbin
Memorial Pews (north side near front of sanctuary) c. 1942
Jeremiah Shackleford & Emma Thompson Shackleford by
Arthur Shackleford
Herman Paul Shackleford 1895-1918 by Arthur Shackleford
Mrs. Gertrude Exum
Rufus Milton Batts 1875-1933
Other Pews (north side of sanctuary) given by
Isaac Dees
Hugh A. Evans
Jesse M. Bogue
Dr. C.H. Rand
C. Douglas Hooks
Charles T. Hooks
H. Milton Best
Carrie Boyd Dees
Pews (south side of sanctuary) given by building committee
P.C. Blalock, Chm.
J. A. Best
W.Y. Whitley
G.W. Davis, Treas.
Dr. G.R. Benton
W.P. Jones
J.W. Aycock
J.B. Exum
H.J. Dickinson
M.C. Yelverton
J.B. Lane
Pews (center section) given in memory of
Barden Vance
Ida Garris Hooks
Frank S. Hooks
Clarence Hooks
by Beulah Hooks Scott
Brass Vase given by Braxton Davis in memory of Mrs. Eunice
Davis
Chimes given by J.B. Lane Family and Leroy Hayes in
memory of Lane Yelverton
Sound Board given by Jesse Davis in memory of Mrs. Ora B.
Davis
Communion Tray given by Judy Thompson in memory of Mr.
and Mrs. June Davis
Vestibule Picture, Fernery, and Sconces given by the children
in memory of Dr. and Mrs. George R. Benton, Sr.
Hat and Coat Rack given by Mr. and Mrs. W.Y. Whitley.
Sanctuary Lights given by Mrs. P.M. Best, family and friends
in memory of Anne Best Turlington, March 6, 1947-April 11,
1970.
Pulpit Bible given by J.J. Cole in 1956.
Altar Paraments given by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Exum in
memory of John B. Exum, Jr. 1957
Memorial Case in Vestible in memory of John B. Hooks, Jr.
Dorsal (Dossal) given by General Thomas Corbin in 1956 (no
longer hanging)
Communion Rail Cushions given by Mrs. J.K. Richardson 1956.
Lecturn Light given by Mrs. Reuben Hooks.
Illuminated Cross (now in fellowship hall) given by Cobb
Family in 1942 in memory of Edgar Clarence Cobb and Minnie
Bryan Cobb
Church School Furniture (Kirby Building) given by the Exum
Family in memory of John B. Exum, Jr.
Piano (fellowship hall) given by General Thomas Corbin in
honor of Sylvia Overman 1977.
Pew Cushions given by Mrs. J.K. Richardson in memory of J.
Kyle Richardson 1980
Antique Needlepoint Picture: "Christ and Woman at Well"
given in memory of Wyatt Whitley 1980
Draperies in choir room given by Mr. and Mrs. John Blackman
1981
in memory of members and relatives of members who died
in 1980
in honor of the 60-uppers in the church
in honor of the choir members
New flooring in fellowship hall and kitchen given in memory of
Jesse Stewart through memorial funds and by the family 1981
Library and Archives Room furnished in memory of E.
Thurman Hooks by memorial funds and the family 1981
Allen Digital Computer Organ by memorial funds and gifts by
many in 1976. Please consult memorial book in vestibule.
Hymnals and Pew Bibles were given in memory, in honor, and
by special gifts.
In addition to the above gifts, the Memorial Committee in
consultation with the families has used memorial monies for
supplying many needs throughout the buildings, including
carpeting, drapes, painting, etc.
Chancel Chairs given by Dr. and Mrs. George R. Benton, Sr.
Communion Table given in memory of Frank M. Watson by
Mrs. Frank M. Watson.
Pulpit in memory of Charity Darden Watson 1868-1913 by
children
Cross and Candlesticks in memory of J. Rose, Jr., by Mr. and
Mrs. John C. Rose, Sr.
Offering Plates in memory of William D. Mason, Jr., by Mr.
and Mrs. W.D. Mason, Sr.
Baptismal Font in memory of
Wyatt E. Yelverton
Margaret M. Yelverton
Walter R. Whitley
Elizabeth Y. Whitley,
by Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Whitley c. 1942.
Piano in memory of Harvey Whitley by Mrs. Harvey Whitley
and Lamont Whitley.
Hymnal Board in memory of John B. Exum, Sr.
Hymnal Board in memory of Mrs. Ora B. Davis.
Brass Vase given by Mrs. Reuben Hooks.
15
MORE RECENT DAYS
(1976-Now)
For almost five years now the author has had the privilege of
serving Fremont United Methodist Church. At the first Ad-ministrative
Board meeting in the summer of 1976, one goal
which he mentioned was the writing of this history. Now it has
become a reality. Please bear with him now as he walks
through these last few years with the reader.
An organ fund had been begun in 1974 and as of May, 1976, a
total of $2,396 had been given. In September, the Ad-ministrative
Board appointed a committee to investigate the
cost and to make a recommendation for a new organ. The
committee brought a report in October, recommending the
purchase of an Allen Digital Computer Organ for $12,667.20.
The board approved.
At the same time, the furnace in the main building, which
had given problems and had been constantly repaired for
several years, finally became too dangerous to operate. It was
decided that this also was a real need. By faith, the board
approved the combining of this effort with the drive for the
organ. With the use of some memorial funds and special
contributions by the people, both the new organ and the new
furnace were installed and fully paid for in December, 1976, at
a cost of almost $15,000!
These efforts seemed to motivate the people in other areas as
well. New choir robes were given in memory and honor of loved
ones in 1977. A piano for the fellowship hall was given by
General Thomas Corbin in honor of Sylvia Overman, church
organist. A new roof was donated for the Kirby Building by Mr.
and Mrs. D. Frank Hinnant in memory of Mrs. J.B. Exum, Jr.
Since that time, a great deal of effort has been made in im-proving
our buildings. With the exception of about four
classrooms, every part of the buildings has been painted inside
and most of the outside including the roof. A small fire during
the Christmas season of 1979 made it necessary to paint the
sanctuary. New carpeting covers the upstairs of the annex and
in two classrooms in the Kirby Building. A new floor has been
given for the fellowship hall and kitchen by the family in
memory of Jesse Stewart. Beautiful draperies adorn the choir
room, donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Blackman. They also
contributed a glass fireplace screen for the fellowship hall. A
new library and archives room is being furnished in memory of
E. Thurman Hooks, and new carpeting for the entire down
stairs of the annex is to be installed in May, 1981
.
Shrubbery was added to the south line of the property,
providing much beauty to the landscape. A large lot behind the
Kirby Building was purchased in 1979. This is presently being
used for recreation. Additional shrubbery lines the back of that
lot also.
The 80 Uppers included (front row, left to right) Mrs.
Lillie Williamson, Mrs. John Walker, Mrs. Beulah Davis,
Miss Ethel Cooke, Mrs. W. Frank Yelverton, Mrs. F. M.
Watson, Mrs. A. J. Flowers; (second row) Wyatt Whitley,
Mrs. I. Frank Yelverton, Mrs. Harvey Dickinson, Harvey
Dickinson, John C. Rose, Mrs. Beulah Scott, Mrs.
Elizabeth Keith, Mrs. J. K. Richardson, J. Kyle
Richardson.
The first annual 80-UPPERS DAY was held in 1978. This day
honors all members and constituents who have reached the age
of 80 or above. On that first occasion, fifteen of the twenty-two
were present. Their picture (above) appeared on the front page
of the North Carolina Christian Advocate on March 18, 1978,
and in the local newspaper, The Weekly News. This continues
to be an annual event.
In 1978, the first Homecoming Day in several years was held
with the Reverend LaFon Vereen, former pastor, delivering
the sermon.
In March, 1981, the Ladies Class was renamed the "Scott-
Richardson Class" in honor of Beulah Hooks Scott and
Christine Richardson. Few people have contributed so much in
so many ways as have these two ladies through their gifts,
their labors and their service.
In the past four years, an emphasis has been placed on
missions with specific directions toward world hunger and
missionary salary support. Dr. and Mrs. Kennie Linn,
missionaries to India, have been the recipients. It is an-ticipated
that they will visit the church in the spring of 1981
when they retire and return home.
This special emphasis on missions placed Fremont number
one in the Goldsboro District with $2,500 in 1978. In 1979,
Fremont was second only to the largest church in the district,
and in 1980 the giving had slipped to third behind the two
largest churches-but not far behind!
The senior high and junior high United Methodist Youth
Fellowships have contributed a large part of these monies
through 24 hour fasts and rock-a-thons during the Lenten
season.
In addition, our United Methodist Women continue to do
great things on the conference, district, and local levels.
It is difficult to evaluate a church's ministry and mission to
the people, the community, and the world. Dollars and cents
can be computed, but services and prayers and other in-tangibles
cannot be.
In many moving and touching moments, one becomes a part
of the lives of others and subsequently a part of one another's
personal and family histories through the years. During these
brief years these moments have been experienced.
Since the author became the pastor in June, 1976, there have
been twenty-four deaths among the membership. In addition,
there have been several others among the constituency. While
this may not sound like a lot for a large church in a large city, it
is quite a lot for a town and country church of about 330
members.
The love which flows to and fro in these situations can only be
measured subjectively and in the heart. As we list the mem-bers
who have died these past four and a half years, it is done
so with love, remembrances and prayer.
Hooks
Rose
Best
Mrs. Michael (Suzanne)
Hugh A. Evans
Mrs. John C. (Ruby)
Mrs. Paul M. (Annie)
Hubert D. Corbin
J. Thadeus Hooks
James L. Bruton
Charles M. Pippin
Robert L. Stevenson, Sr.
W. Wayne Hooks
Steven Scott Yelverton
Marvin Yelverton
Mrs. Edgar L. Best
Wyatt Y. Whitley
Jesse S. Stewart
Mrs. Marvin (Delia)
J. Madero O'Neal
Mrs. Charles (Ruth)
Laura Pippin Danka
Harvey Dickinson
E. Thurman Hooks
Mrs. George (Beulah) Davis
Mrs. W. Wayne (Joyce) Hooks
Mrs. Jim Sutton (Deane) Cobb
Mrs. Preston (Eleanor) Day
Yelverton
Pippin
March 3, 1977
March 24, 1977
June 10, 1977
November 13, 1977
February, 1978
July 20, 1978
August 27, 1978
September 9, 1978
November 21, 1978
January 21, 1979
March 10, 1979
April 3, 1979
June 30, 1979
October 2, 1979
November 10, 1979
February 19, 1980
March 4, 1980
March 20, 1980
April 9, 1980
May 4, 1980
June 21, 1980
October 25, 1980
December 16, 1980
January 28, 1981
April 21, 1981
16
North Carolina State Libra,
Raleigh, N. C.
PRESENT MEMBERSHIP
Following is a list of those persons who were full members of
the church as of 1981.
Abernathy, Mrs. Gregg (Joan)
Aycock, Beverly Yelverton
Aycock, Mrs. Glenn (Ruth)
Bal lance, Mrs. Dorothy S.
Barker, Mrs. Lynn Evans
Barnes, J. Dempsey
Barnes, Mrs. J. Dempsey (Rena)
Bell, Mrs. Lee Roy (Flora Crews)
Bearnon, Mrs. Dwaine (Mary Sue)
Benfield, Mrs. Jack M. (Jane C.)
Benfield, Terri
Benfield, Susan
Benton, Binford E. Jr.
Benton, Donna Lynn
Benton, Mary Mumford
Blackman, Dr. Jesse A.
Blackman, Mrs. Jesse A. (Norma)
Blackman, John
Blackman, Mrs. John (Libba)
Blackman, T. Gibson
Blalock, Paul C. Jr.
Blalock, Mrs. Paul C. Jr. (Teenie)
Blalock, Paul Cameron III
Blow, A. Carlton
Bogue, Mrs. Susie Mae
Bolding, Mrs. Robert (Barbara)
Bolding, Lori
Broome, Mrs. L.R. (Dorothy)
Brown, Mrs. Joe (Betty)
Bruton, Mrs. James L. (Winnie Dorothy)
Butler, Mrs. Nannie G.
Cobb, Jim Sutton
Cobb, Kay
Coe, Mrs. Charles (Sally L.)
Cole, Mrs. J.J. Jr. (Sarah)
Cole, J. Jerald III
Cooke, Ethel
Cooley, Bobby
Cooley, Mrs. Bobby (Penny)
Cooley, Bob
Cooley, Burt
Corbin, General Thomas G.
Cox, Mrs. John (Mary)
Curtis, Mrs. Kay Y.
Danka, William
Davis, Alice Lorene
Davis, Arnold
Davis, Mrs. Arnold (Lillie)
Davis, Mrs. Braxton (Winnie Ruth)
Davis, Mrs. Carl (Pauline)
Davis, Mrs. Randall
Davis, Mrs. Russell Sr. (Virginia)
Davis, Russell Jr.
Davis, Spencer LaVerne
Davis, William G.
Davis, Winston
Davis, Mrs. Winston (Bertha)
Davis, Gary
Dees, Isaac Jr.
Dickinson, Mrs. Harvey (Ada)
Drummond, William M.
Drummond, Mrs. W.M. (Vicki)
Dubberly, Clinton D.
Dubberly, Mrs. C. D. (Lamonte)
Dubberly, David
Edmundson, Mrs. Donald (Phyllis)
Edmundson, Don
Edmundson, Charles
Edmundson, Tracey
Edwards, Sidney
Ellis, Ken
Ellis, Mary Ellen
Ellis, Mrs. Barnes (Molly)
Evans, Andy
Evans, Cecil
Evans, David C.
Evans, Mrs. Hugh A. (Elizabeth)
Evans, Junius
Evans, Mrs. Junius (Bobbie)
Evans, Steve
Evans, Kenneth
17
Evans, Mrs. Robert (Rhonda)
Exum, J. Burt III
Ferrell, Mrs. George (Barbara)
Ferrell, Laura Gayle
Fields, Willie
Flowers, Mrs. A.J. (Melissa)
Flowers, Lou Ellen
Flowers, Mrs. W.A.
Flowers, Darron
Flowers, Mrs. Darron (Mary Lee)
Flowers, Keith
Flowers, Beth
Gamble, James O. Jr.
Gamble, Mrs. James O. Jr. (Emily)
Gamble, James O. 1 1
1
Gibson, Mrs. Billy (Scotty)
Gilleran, Mrs. Dennis (Linda R.)
Hayes, Mrs. Bert (Kirk)
Hayes, Bill
Hicks, George
Hicks, Mrs. George (Lib)
Hill, Mrs. T.C. Jr. (Isabelle)
Hill, T.C. Ill
Hill, Mrs. T.C. Ill (Ava)
Hinnant, D. Frank
Hinnant, Mrs. D. Frank (Anne E.)
Hinnant, David
Hinton, Mrs. T.W.
Holland, Gifford G.
Hooks, Charles T. Sr.
Hooks, Mrs. Charles T. Sr. (Cora)
Hooks, C. Taylor Jr.
Hooks, Mrs. C. Taylor Jr. (Mary Jo)
Hooks, Kim
Hooks, Charles Till
Hooks, Curtis Wayne
Hooks, Mrs. Earl (Ruth)
Hooks, Alma
Hooks, Lewis
Hooks, Mrs. Thurman (Edna)
Hooks, Glenn
Hooks, Mrs. Glenn (Hazel)
Hooks, Rob
Hooks, Jacob I. Ill
Hooks, Mrs. J. Thaddeus (Bebe)
Hooks, Mrs. John B. Jr. (Sue C.)
Hooks, Leland
Hooks, Leonard
Hooks, Mrs. Leonard (Edith)
Hooks, Matthew Earl Jr.
Hooks, Michael Lee
Hooks, Katherine
Hooks, Michael
Hooks, Mrs. Wayne (Nona)
Home, Mrs. J.D.
Home, Mrs. Jerry W. (Teresa H.)
Jackson, Elizabeth
Jackson, Jennifer
Jackson, Mrs. Margaret T.
Johnson, Mrs. Jerry (Libby C.)
Johnson, Leroy
Johnson, Mrs. Leroy (Betsy)
Johnson, Lynn
Johnson, Doug
Johnson, Mark
Johnson, Mrs. Mark (Cheryl)
Jones, R. Donald
Jones, Mrs. R. Donald (Liz)
Jones, Don
Jones, Lisa
Jones, Randy
Kearney, Mrs. Bill (Julia H.)
Keith, Mrs. C.G. (Elizabeth)
Kyles, Mrs. Allen (Anita)
Lambert, Mrs. Rusty (Judith)
Langston, Jane
Langston, William L. 1 1
1
Lee, Ava
Lee, Mrs. Waverly (Peggy)
Lee, Edith
Litchworth, Mrs. Stephen (Edwina)
MacMillan, George
MacMillan, Jimmy
MacMillan, Hope
Mason, W. Donald
Mason, Mrs. W. Donald (Mary Love)
Mason, Libby
Mason, Steve
Mason, Donna
18
Matthews, Larry
Matthews, Mrs. Larry (Linda)
Matthews, Bryan
Mayo, David M.
Mayo, Mrs. John B. (Adelaide)
Mayo, Ann Reid
Milleson, Mrs. Rick (Jean E.)
Minshew, Miss Clyde
Minshew, Mrs. Mabel
Mdore, Mrs. Sally P.
Mooring, Deborah Lynn
Mooring, Mrs. Donald (Linda)
Mooring, Mrs. Marvin (Virginia)
Mooring, Sue Katherine
McBride, Mrs. CD. (Eliza)
Nelms, Julian
Nelms, Mrs. Julian (Gwynne)
O'Connell, Mrs. Elizabeth
O'Neal, Ben Ray
O'Neal, Mrs. J. Madero (Helen)
O'Neal, Joel
O'Neal, Mrs. Joel (Judy N.)
O'Neal, Melissa
Outland, Mrs. Lena A.
Overman, Lemuel
Overman, Mrs. F. Lemuel (Sylvia)
Overman, Fred
Pate, Mrs. Gerald (Judith)
Peacock, Mrs. Clarence Jr. (Jessie)
Peacock, Mrs. Frank L. Jr. (Mary Hall)
Peacock, Howard
Peacock, James
Peacock, James E. Sr.
Peacock, Mrs. James E. Sr. (Nancy R.)
Peacock, John R.
Peacock, Dr. James E. Jr.
Peacock, Kay
Peacock, Raymond
Peacock, Mrs. Raymond (Betsy)
Pennington, Mrs. Allyne
Peoples, Mrs. Frank (Anne Y.)
Pierce, Homer
Pierce, Mrs. Homer (Ida Jean)
Pierce, Sammy
Pierce, Frank
Pierce, Patty
Pike, Mrs. Clarence (Evelyn)
Pippin, Charles R.
Pippin, Mrs. Earl (Edna)
Pippin, John L.
Pippin, Mrs. John L. (Inez)
Price, Mrs. Theodore (Corrine)
Price, Connie
Price, Jerry
Richardson, Mrs. J. Kyle (Christine)
Rimberg, Mrs. John (Joella)
Rollins, Mrs. Gary (Connie)
Rose, Gary
Rose, John C.
Rose, Kent
Rose, William Dickinson
Sager, Kathryn Joanne
Sasser, Mrs. El wood Sr. (Frances)
Sasser, El wood Jr.
Sasser, Frank
Sasser, James Wyatt
Sasser, Sammy
Sasser, Mrs. Sammy (Winnie Sue D.)
Scott, Mrs. Beulah Hooks
Shackletord, Dan
Shackleford, Mrs. Dan (Grey)
Shackletord, Jeffrey
Singleton, John Sr.
Singleton, Mrs. John Sr.
Singleton, John Jr.
Skinner, Mrs. Michael (Mary Lucy)
Smith, Burton D.
Smith, Mrs. Burton D. (Martha Lou)
Smith, Freddie
Smith, Burt
Smith, Catherine E.
Smith, Mrs. Ed (Martha)
Smith, Mrs. Phillis C.
Smith, Mrs. Ralph Sr. (Grace)
19
Smith, Ralph Jr.
Smith, Mrs. Ralph Jr. (Betsy)
Smith, Brad
Smith, Lee
Smith, Mrs. Rex (Linda B.)
Smith, Sandra Lee
Starling, James T.
Starling, Mrs. James T. (Lillian)
Stevenson, Mrs. Robert L. Sr. (Faye)
Stevenson, Robert L. Jr.
Stevenson, Mrs. Robert L. Jr. (Susan D.)
Stewart, Henry L.
Stewart, Mrs. Jesse S. (Jessie)
Stewart, Keith
Stewart, Mrs. Keith (Lynda)
Strickland, Timothy
Suggs, Mrs. Billy S.
Sullivan, Mrs. John (Sara P.)
Swindell, Mrs. Scott (Susan)
Taylor, Mrs. Kathryn
Taylor, Lynn
Taylor, Robert L.
Thornton, Mrs. S.D. (Ruth)
Thompson, Mary T.
Triana, Mrs John (Belle P.)
Treadaway, Mrs. H.H. (Mary Jane)
Turlington, Mrs. Hugh (Eleanor B.)
Turlington, Mrs. Oscar (Evelyn)
Turner, Mrs. Terry
Valley, Mrs Muriel P.
Watson, Mrs. Frank M. (Edith)
Wetzell, Mrs. Ralph (Diana)
Whitford, Mrs. Thomas A. (Teenie)
Whitford, Ella Ann
Whittord, Tommy
Whitley, D.H.
Whitley, Mrs. Harvey (Margaret)
Whitley, H. Lamont
Whitley, Mrs. H. Lamont (Polly)
Whitley, Dr. H.L. Jr.
Whitley, Mrs. H.L. Jr. (Candy)
Whitworth, Mrs. Richard (Frances)
Wiggs, Mrs. Charles (Hazel)
Winbon, Doug
Winbon, Mrs. Clarence (Maude)
Winders, Charles
Wyndham, Mrs. Vickie
Wooten, Robbie
Wooten, Mrs. Robbie (Terry)
Worrell, Mrs. Frank (Carolyn)
Yelverton, Deborah Ann
Yelverton, George E. Sr.
Yelverton, Mrs. George E. Sr. (Kay)
Yelverton, Eddie
Yelverton, Bill
Yelverton, Mrs. I. Frank (Mary Margaret)
Yelverton, Jack
Yelverton, Mrs. Jack (Lida)
Yelverton, John
Yelverton, Mrs. John (Reba)
Yelverton, John Edwards
Yelverton, Mrs. John E. (Patty)
Yelverton, Patrick
Yelverton, Mrs. Norman (Annette)
Yelverton, Stephen T.
Yelverton, Mrs. J. Tom (Leila)
Yelverton, Mrs. W. Frank (Ann)
Carolina State Library
igh, N- Q.
20
GC 287.6756395 B465f
Benfield, Jack M.
Fremont United Methodist Church, 1869-19
III III
3 3091 00079 1111
DATE DUE
DEMCO 38-297

Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013
http://archive.org/details/fremontunitedmetOOjack
A History
Of
Fremont United
Methodist Church
Fremont, North Carolina
^Orth Carolina State Library
Raleigh, N. C,
>nt Uni
Methodist Church
1869-1981
s
A History
By
Jock M. Benfield, Minister
PREFACE
Methodism had been in existence for well over a century
before Fremont had her first Methodist church. In fact, the
denomination had been in the United States (colonies) since
1766. "Phillip Embury, a lay preacher from Ireland, began to
preach in the city of New York. At about the same time Robert
Strawbridge, another lay preacher from Ireland, settled in
Frederick County, Maryland, and began the work there. In 1769
Wesley sent Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore to
America, and two years later, Francis Asbury, who became
the great leader of American Methodism." So states the 1980
BOOK OF DISCIPLINE of the United Methodist Church.
North Carolina Methodism began, according to many church
historians, when Joseph Pilmore preached at Currituck
courthouse on September 29, 1772, but the oldest established
congregation is Centenary, New Bern. This church began
holding services on December 25, 1772, with Joseph Pilmore
preaching.
It was not until about twenty-eight years later that a church
was established in Wayne County. The North Carolina Con-ference
Historical Directory indicates that Providence, south
of Goldsboro, and Bethel, near Hood Swamp, were founded
about 1800. They were followed by Salem, near Belfast, around
1805.
In our own neighborhood, Yelverton at Faro was founded
around 1845, and in nearby Wilson County, Stantonsburg
church was founded in 1833. These two churches were on the
main road from Waynesborough to Tarboro.
Methodist circuit riders may have passed through these
various communities many times on many unrecorded oc-casions
prior to these dates. They may have preached in
private homes, meeting places, school houses, and under bush
arbors. Our dates are from deeds and local church histories.
Fremont Methodist Church history begins in the days
following the Civil War, nearly a century after Methodism
came to our state. It was an era when many other churches
were also being established as a part of the reconstruction
effort. Among the twenty nine United Methodist Churches in
Wayne County, Fremont was the ninth to be founded. Ac-cording
to the deed, the date was March 25, 1869.
Following is a list of the Wayne County United Methodist
Churches in chronological order of their accepted founding
date:
1. Providence 1800
2. Bethel 1800
3. Salem 1805
4. Ebenezer 1840
5. Yelverton 1845
6. St. Paul, Goldsboro 1849
7. Smith Chapel 1853
8. Indian Springs 1853
9. FREMONT 1869
10. Pine Forest 1870
11. Mt. Olive 1870
12. Beston 1871
13. Falling Creek 1874
14. St. John, Goldsboro 1875
15. Mt. Carmel 1878
16. Daniels Memorial 1878
17. Eureka 1880
18. Zion 1881
19. Seven Springs 1891
20. Saulston 1892
21. St. Joseph's, Pikeville 1903
22. Garris Chapel 1909
(Please notice the gap!)
23. St. Luke 1950
24. Airboro, Goldsboro 1954
25. Westwood 1955
26. New Hope, Goldsboro 1956
27. Jefferson, Goldsboro 1957
28. Brogden 1958
29. Walker Memorial 1963
,
EARLY DAYS
In the only printed church history prior to this one, which was
a newspaper article for the Goldsboro News Argus, the
statement is made that "the story of the Methodist Church in
Fremont before March 25, 1869, is one of questioning and
surmise." Now, after much research by this author, that
statement remains true. Although the North Carolina Con-ference
Historical Directory indicates "founded about 1861
according to local church information," this information has
not been found or that date substantiated.
In the old conference journals, there is no record of "Wayne
Circuit," of which Fremont was a part, until 1869. There was a
"Wayne Mission" in 1867 and 1868 which may have been at any
of several locations in the county.
In the 1864 conference journal, a "Nahunta Colored Mission"
was listed "to be supplied." Whether this refers to the town (as
Fremont was then named) or to some other area of the vast
Nahunta Swamp is not known. This was the only time it was
listed.
In regard to the town and name, "Nahunta," the date of
March 25, 1869 (date of church deed) preceded the changing of
the name of the town from Nahunta to Fremont by just one
week, the latter being accomplished by an act of the General
Assembly on April 1, 1869. No significance is drawn from this
other than that a great deal of local history took place in that
week which was to affect greatly this community for years to
come. Then, too, some of the people involved in both incidences
were the same.
The church deed was between M.F. and Piety Jeffreys and
the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for the
purchaseof a piece of land "to erect and build a house or place
of worship for the use of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South." The trustees were A.J. Finlayson, Wm. Bryant, J.M.
Jenkins, J.J. Scott, J.J. Bardin, J.G. Barnes, and J.H. Barnes.
Of these, only J.J. Bardin and James H. Barnes appear in the
oldest membership book in our possession. They were probably
charter members. J.M. Jenkins shows up later in the same roll
book as having joined the church in 1894.
A.J. Finlayson was a local Methodist preacher who un-doubtedly
had a hand in the organization of the church, as he
later did with Mt. Carmel near Pikeville. According to an old
document among church records (undated), "In 1869 the Rev.
A.J. Finlayson, a local Methodist Preacher. ..who also founded
the Mt. Carmel Church near Pikeville. ..was preaching in the
old Lodge which stood where the Community Building now
stands and with the help of others organized the Fremont
Methodist Church." The document goes on to give the date of
December 10, which is incorrect, and the names of the trustees,
all of which are correct except one, J.M. Perkins, who is not
listed on the deed.
Even though A.J. Finlayson may have been holding services
in the Nahunta Masonic Lodge at that time, he was doing so as
a local preacher. He therefore was not ordained and appointed,
per se, and he was not listed in the conference journal. A great
man he was, however! In the Raleigh Christian Advocate,
there is an address by the Reverend Jno N. Andrews (our first
minister of record) on the occasion of the laying of the cor-nerstone
of Goldsboro M.E. Church, South, on July 12, 1883. In
that address, Mr. Andrews stated, "A.J. Finlayson also
became a local preacher. He was not educated, but he was
converted; not eloquent, but earnest. No citizen of Wayne has
impressed himself for good upon the religious public for two
generations as did Finlayson for the nearly thirty years of his
ministry. After the war Wayne and Lenoir circuits were
revived and rebuilt through his instrumentality. He was in-strumental
in building seven churches. He gave bountifully of
time and money to the cause of Christ, and his death was one of
great calmness and peace." A.J. Finlayson was born August
20, 1824, and died on July 9, 1881. Since he was not a conference
member, no memoir appears in the conference journal.
We do not have the first membership roll book from 1869 to
1886, therefore our records are incomplete, including the
names of charter members. J.J. Scott, J.G. Barnes, and Wm.
Bryant may have appeared on that earlier roll, but it is also
o
(J
o
E
01
3
u
o>
possible that they were never members of the church since this
was not necessary in order to be a trustee of the church.
We know something about some of the trustees from secular
documents. J.J. Scott was the first mayor of Fremont. J.J.
Bardin (also spelled Barden) was the druggist. M.F. Jeffreys,
from whom the land was purchased, was a town commissioner.
He later joined the church in 1893, but his wife, Piety, did not
join until 1901. Jeff M. Jenkins was the policeman in 1880 and
also the Fremont reporter for the Goldsboro Carolina
Messenger during the 1870's.
Old newspaper accounts state that the Methodist Church was
the first and only church in town for several years, although
there were other churches nearby such as Aycock Primitive
Baptist, Memorial Primitive Baptist and Yelverton Methodist
Episcopal, South. Then, too, it was possible that the Old Lodge
was used occasionally by other church groups. It was quite
common for a building in those days to be used as a church,
school, and for town meetings and other meetings. Old Lodge
was occupied by the Masons upstairs and was used as a church
and school downstairs. Governor Charles B. Aycock attended
school there from 1867 to 1872, which was the same time that
Methodist services were being held there.
Some old church stationary in 1928 states at the top: "old
church built in 1876" and "our aim-new church 1928-29". Other
information states that the first building was constructed in
1873. Why it took four to seven years to construct a building on
the property is not known.
1894-1932, Washington district
1932 1954, New Bern district
1954 Goldsboro district was formed. Fremont has been in
this district since then.
THE MINISTERS
There have been thirty-eight ministers who have served the
Fremont church. John N. Andrews is the only one to have been
appointed two times. As explained in a previous section, AJ.
Finlayson is not counted among these ministers since there is
no official documentation that he was ever appointed to the
Wayne circuit prior to 1869. He is recognized, nevertheless, as
most definitely having an important part to play in the foun-ding
of the church.
Even though the annual conference session met in December
in those earlier years and the ministers probably did not arrive
on the scene until January of the following year, for the pur-pose
of computation the year of the listing of the appointment
in the journal is the year used as the beginning of a tenure. For
instance, John N. Andrews is listed in the 1868 journal as
having been appointed in December of that year to serve the
Wayne circuit. Since the deed was dated on March 25, 1869, one
can assume that John N. Andrews was the first minister of-ficially
assigned. There is a possibility that A.J. Finlayson may
have unofficially served at that point in time until the
December, 1869, session of annual conference. For that reason,
it is difficult to give the first minister an absolutely clear
starting point. Nevertheless, as stated above, John N. Andrews
is being listed as first.
CHARGE ALIGNMENTS
It is difficult to ascertain the churches on the circuit in the
early days since the conference journals did not list them by
name until 1926. Prior to that time, beginning in 1883, only the
number of churches and-or Sunday Schools was given.
Fremont became a part of the Wayne Circuit in 1869 which
was one of just a few charges in the New Bern district. We are
not sure what other churches or how many were on this circuit.
Nearby churches existing at that time were Yelverton and
Salem, both of which were possibilities. It is more likely that
Wayne Circuit covered the churches in Wayne County.
In 1873, Lebanon Church in Greene County is listed in the
North Carolina Historical Directory as having been on the
Fremont (actually Wayne) circuit. Another church begun that
year was Black Creek, therefore we probably were associated
with these two churches, from their birth for many years.
The first statistical data on the Wayne circuit appears in the
1883 journal, noting 5 Sunday Schools, 438 members, one
parsonage valued at $700 and 5 churches valued at $6,000. The
pastor's salary was $700 (same as the parsonage value!). To
put things further in proper perspective, there were only 183
ministerial members of the conference which covered the
entire state of North Carolina! We are supposing that the five
churches at that time were Fremont, Beaman's Chapel (later
Eureka), Yelverton, Black Creek, and Lebanon.
Saulston was organized in 1892 and became an entry into the
membership roll book for the Fremont circuit in that same
year, making a total of six churches. It appears that Saulston
remained on the charge until 1920. Lebanon left the circuit,
according to the membership book, about 1917. With these two
churches apart by 1920, the circuit became a four-point charge
wiih Fremont, Black Creek, Yelverton, and Beaman's Chapel.
This charge alignment continued for the next thirty-four years,
which may be a record for four-point circuits!
In 1954, Fremont became a station church for the first time in
her history. Eureka and Yelverton became a two-point charge,
as they remain today; and Black Creek became a part of the
Rocky Mount district.
The charge was known as the Wayne circuit from 1869 to
1888, at which time it became the Fremont circuit. It was called
this until 1954.
The district alignments were as follows:
1869-1890, New Bern district (The North Carolina Con-ference
separated from the W.N.C. Conference in 1889)
1890-1894, Wilson district
1868-73
JOHN N. ANDREWS does not appear on another list of the
church's ministers as the first pastor; however, he is listed in
the conference journals as the pastor of the Wayne circuit
during this period of time. He was born on June 21, 1826, the son
of Dr. S.A. Andrews of Wayne County. He was educated for a
physician and entered the practice. According to Dr. Edgar
Perkins' scrapbook "he was regarded as a disbeliever in
Divine Revelation, but having a Christian woman for a patient,
and witnessing her triumphant death, he became deeply af-fected
and at once sought the Christian's faith. He joined the
church, entered the ministry, and his pious labors have been
abundantly blessed." He professed faith at Holt's mill near
Princeton in 1849. He also served the Wayne circuit in 1882-84.
In 1885, he took 2-3 weeks off to visit his children, riding almost
400 miles with his wife. He died on the return trip to Roanoke
circuit where he was serving. He is buried in Goldsboro.
THE WAYNE CIRCUIT WAS
DISTRICT IN 1869
IN THE NEW BERNE
1873-75
R.A. WILLIS was born in Rockingham County, February 19,
1836. He was the father of the Reverend R.H. Willis. He joined
the conference in 1858 and served the church for 50 years. He
was a presiding elder (district superintendent) for four dif
ferent districts. He died in 1910 and is buried in Littleton, N.C.
1875-77 X*"****^ 1881 82
F.H. WOOD is listed in the conference journal as appointed to
the Wayne circuit for these years and is on the list of ministers
appearing in a newspaper article in the early 1940's. He is not
on another list of ministers, however, in the church archives.
Nothing more is known about him.
W.H. CALL is not listed among the chronological deceased
ministers of the conference which means that he either was a
local preacher or had moved to another conference or had
dropped out of the ministry before his death. Nothing is known
about him.
1882-84
JOHN N. ANDREWS served the Wayne circuit for a second
time. See above
1877 79
W.C. GANNON is listed in the conference journal as having
served these two years and is also listed in the above article as
"Cannon," a misspelling. Nothing more is known about him. .
-'*"
1884-87
RUFUS CICERO BEAMAN was born in 1860 in Rocky Mount.
He joined the conference in 1877 as a 17-year-old lad, and spent
almost fifty years as an itinerant minister. He later became a
presiding elder on two occasions: Wilson district in 1897-98 and
the Durham district 1910-13. He was a General Conference
delegate in 1910. He served some of the larger churches in the
conference. He was called Dr. Beaman which was probably an
honorary title since he appears to have been self-educated.
Eureka was begun as Beaman's Chapel in 1887 according to the
deed and Dr. Beaman's tenure, although an earlier date is
ascribed as being 1880 for the church's founding. He died in 1926
and is buried in Willow Dale Cemetery in Goldsboro.
1879-81
N.M. JURNEY was assigned to Wayne circuit for these two
years and is listed as having a Fremont address, the first such
address listed in a journal. No memoir could be found of him
either.
1887-89
W.J. CROWSON has no memoir in the conference journal nor is
he listed in the chronological deceased roll. Nothing is known
about him.
The Circuit was called Fremont circuit for the first time in
1889. It should be noted also that the North Carolina Conference
divided from the Western North Carolina Conference in this
same year.
Rockingham called him "a patriarch in Methodism." His
memoir notes that when "gas buggies came out, he built one
for himself." He was 94 years old when he died on December
23, 1951. He is buried in Raleigh. His daughter-in-law, Jean,
lives in Smithfield, and is quite active in Goldsboro district
activities.
1889 93
W.W. ROSE was born in 1858 in Warren County and died in
1913. He is buried in Franklinton, N.C.
Fremont circuit became a part of the Wilson district in 1892.
Fremont circuit was in the Washington district in 1895.
1899-01
1893-95
W.H. PUCKETT was born on March 17, 1856, in Tyrell County.
According to his memoir, he was reared in the church and
became superintendent of Sunday School at 17 years of age and
learned to exhort at 18. He began to preach at age 20 and
"attended school between laying by the crop and the gathering
of the same." He died in 1912 and is buried at Smithfield.
FRANCIS BRAGG McCALL was born February 26, 1858, in
Scotland County. His first wife died when their son was three
weeks old. He married a second time and was the father of
three more sons and six daughters. His memoir speaks of his
mother and her diligence in training him and his siblings:
"When he was but a lad, she would take a lunch, for it was four
miles to their church, St. John's, and she and the boy would
walk to church. The effect of such training was manifest. Out of
that house went three into the itinerancy (ministry)." He died
in 1928 and is buried in Gibson, North Carolina.
'}
1901-02
THOMAS J. DAILEY was born in 1849 in Alamance County.
His memoir in the journal was written by another of our
ministers, B.P. Robinson. He was converted in 1877 at about
age 28, was licensed to preach in 1880 and served for a while as
a lay preacher. Then he joined the conference in 1883. His
health failed in 191 1 and he finally retired in 1914. He was living
with a daughter in Deland, Florida when he died in 1935.
1895 99
CONDOR PARSON JEROME was born June 16, 1857, in
Mecklenburg County. He retired after serving Pikeville and his
son, Robert L. Jerome, was appointed to follow him on the
same charge. Robert went on to serve the church well and is
now deceased. Bishop Costen J. Harrell wrote a daughter of his
affection for the elder Mr. Jerome, stating that he (Jerome)
was his (Harrell's) pastor when he went away to college and a
devoted friend and helper always. The Post Dispatch in
•
1902-06 1918-22
D.L. EARNHARDT was born in 1854 in Salisbury, North
Carolina. He was the father of the Reverend Daniel Edwin
Earnhardt. This is mentioned because the latter joined the
church as a youngster in May, 1904, and later served the
conference as a minister until his death in 1976. A third-generation
minister, the Reverend Edwin L. Earnhardt,
grandson of D.L., is presently serving Rose Hill United
Methodist Church. D.L. Earnhardt died in 1928 and is buried in
Durham, N.C.
190608
WILLIAM TAYLOR PHIPPS was born in 1881 in Towsen,
Maryland. He was a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic In-stitute
with an engineering degree. He worked for a while with
an oil company before he heard the call to the ministry. He
went then to Vanderbilt University and joined the conference in
1907. After serving the church for 43 years, he retired in 1949.
He was described as a strong, robust man. He used his training
as an engineer and architect. The first church he helped to
design and build was the church at Swan Quarter, the one
which replaced the "church moved by the hand of God." He
died in 1968 and is buried in Pittsboro, North Carolina.
1922 25
JAMES ADOLPHUS DAI LEY was born on May 23, 1868, in
Alamance County. He was married to Matilda Howland of
Graham. They had three children. His memoir states that he
had "a great gift as an exhorter and was at his best at
revivals." He died on November 18, 1945, of a heart attack at
Duke Hospital.
-x
CHARLES ROBERT TAYLOR was born November 29, 1855, at
Seaboard, North Carolina. He joined the Virginia Conference in
1878. He also served in Arkansas for four years. His memoir
states that he described himself as a skilled "cotton-picker"
and liked to be called a "cotton pickin' preacher." He died on
August 27, 1908, while serving the Fremont circuit. He is buried
in Greenville, Virginia.
1908 10
BENSON H BLACK was born in Monroe, North Carolina, the
son ol a noted Methodist minister, Dr. William S. Black, editor
of the Raleigh Christian Advocate and a presiding elder
Benson Black attended Trinity College (now Duke) where he
played football and was a big supporter of Duke athletics all of
his lite He retired in 1941, died in 1946, and is buried in
Durham, North Carolina.
.•~..»
1925-27
NATHAN BRADLEY STRICKLAND was born in 1878 in
Johnston County. He became a teacher at age 20 and later was
a principal. He was called to preach and was admitted into the
conference in 1911 at age 33. After serving for 38 years, he
retired in 1949. His father was a minister as were two of his
brothers. He died at the Methodist Retirement Home in
Durham on June 9, 1958, and is buried in Johnston County.
1910 14
RUFUS RHODES GRANT was born October 13, 1871, in
Northampton County. He died February 23, 1946, and was
buried in Fairfield, North Carolina.
1914 18
JULIAN LEE CRAFT RUMLEY was born in Beaufort, North
Carolina, on June 14, 1870. His memoir states that "delicate
health" kept him from serving many of the leading ap-pointments.
He retired in 1924 at age 54 for health reasons. He
died in 1928 and is buried at Farmville, North Carolina.
1927-29
ROBERT E. PITTMAN was born in 1867 in Lenoir County. He
was married to Eugenia Coward of Griffon and they had seven
children. He was a former river boat captain on the Neuse
River and often related stories of his ventures. He was known
throughout the conference as "Captain Bob," but locally some
of the youth nicknamed him "Steamboat Bob." He died in 1936
and is buried in Durham.
1929-33
JSSKmamm
KIRBY FORMY DUVAL was born in 1884 in Brunswick
County. He is described in his memoir as a "great circuit
rider," having served sixteen charges over 40 years, mostly
rural multi-church charges. He died in 1964 and is buried in
Durham.
1941-44
BENJAMIN PORTIVANT ROBINSON was born August 27,
1880. He was called to preach at age 23, and served the
Methodist Church tor 39 years. Fremont was his last ap-pointment,
retiring in 1944. His memoir describes "his broad
smile, friendly greeting, and the sunshine of his soul." Mrs.
Robinson (Victoria) suffered a partial stroke of paralysis while
they were at Fremont. It was while he was pastor that the brick
renovation and addition was completed and dedicated. Bishop
Clare Purcell came for the dedication service. Mr. Robinson
died on November 26, 1952 and is buried in Raeford, North
Carolina.
1944-47
JOHN CEPHAS WILLIAMS was born on August 20, 1882. His
wife was Maggie Lee Dixon of Rockingham County. On Oc-tober
26, 1947, Mr. Williams preached his last sermon at
Fremont on the subject, "The Place of the Church and Religion
in the Life of Man." In that sermon he said there were three
things a Methodist preacher must be ready to do: (1) preach
(2) move (3) die. After the service, he went immediately
across the street to the parsonage, lay down on his bed and
died. His memoir, from which this information is taken, fur-ther
states that "the board of stewards of the Fremont Church
drove in a body the 150 miles (to Rockingham County) to the
graveside to attend the last rites of their beloved pastor." He is
the "Williams" of the Hooks-Williams Circle.
1933-37
EDGAR RALPH SHULLER is now retired and living with his
wife, Mary, at Yaupon Beach, Southport, North Carolina. He
transferred to the North Carolina Conference from North
Arkansas in 1930 and served Kenly and Garner before
Fremont. He served eight other charges after he left this
charge until his retirement in 1968.
1947-49
LAFON C. VEREEN is presently the Administrator of the
Wesley Pines Retirement Home in Lumberton, North Carolina
where he has served with his wife, Joyce for the past six years.
He has been with the Methodist Retirement Homes since 1972.
He also served as Executive Secretary of the Conference Board
of Missions, as the Associate Director of our Conference staff in
the areas of witness, outreach, involvement. Other churches he
has served include Trinity (Wilmington), Fairmont (Raleigh),
Farmville, and Warrenton.
1937-41
CECIL WAYNE ROBBINS is retired and living with his wife,
Eloise, at 1202 Bickett Blvd., Louisburg, North Carolina. After
leaving Fremont, he served Mt. Olive and Warrenton. In 1949
he became editor of the North Carolina Christian Advocate. In
1955 he was named President of Louisburg College, a position
he held until he retired in 1974. At present he serves as a retired
supply pastor. Dr. Robbins was a Jurisdictional Delegate in
1952 and a General Conference Delegate in 1956, 1964, and 1968. 1949 (part)
8
JOHN D. CRANFORD was born in 1893 in Davidson County. He
served only a portion of 1949 at Fremont after Mr. Vereen was
re-assigned to Warrenton early in that year. Mr. Cranford died
in 1963 and is buried at Denton, North Carolina.
1949 1953
WILLIAM ELMER HOWARD was born in Denver, North
Carolina in 1895. Mrs. Howard (Bessie) lived in Mt. Olive for
some time after Mr. Howard died in 1968, but she is now
residing at the Methodist Retirement Home in Durham for the
past several years. Mr. Howard is buried in Goldsboro.
this time, the church had always been with three to five other
churches. The six years he served were among the most
productive in many ways, most notably in membership gains.
The people recognized his ministry by naming the new
educational building in his honor. After leaving Fremont, he
served the following churches: Wallace, Divine Street (Dunn),
Hay Street ( Fayetteville), and now Edenton Street (Raleigh),
the conference's largest church. At the 1979 annual conference
session, he was selected to be the "favorite son" candidate for
the episcopacy and became the official nominee at the 1980
session. The elections were held at the Southeastern
Jurisdictional Conference, Lake Junaluska, in July, 1980, but
Dr. Kirby was not elected. He is married to the former Sally
Broome, whose mother, Mrs. L.R. (Dot) Broome, is presently
a member of the church. Dr. Kirby was a delegate to the 1976
and 1980 General and Jurisdictional Conferences.
1960-64
JOHN HERBERT WALDROP, JR. is presently serving in the
Wilmington District, having just recently returned to the
conference boundaries after serving various administrative
positions with a nursing home, as a drug consultant, with
alcoholic rehabilitation, etc. He was the minister when the
present parsonage was built.
1953-54
DAVID MILTON LEWIS died on December 30, 1979, during the
writing of this history. At the time of his death he was serving
the Troy circuit, in his fourth year there. He served the con
ference for 32 years. He was the last minister on the Fremont
circuit. His memoir in the 1980 journal states that he was born
on December 26, 1911 in Hertford, North Carolina. He was a
graduate of Atlantic Christian College and Asbury Theological
Seminary with a term in the Navy in between. He served the
Church for over 31 years. Although he was 68 years old at the
time of his death, he had not yet retired. On Sunday morning,
December 16, 1979, he suffered an aneurism and "succumbed
to the Lord's ultimate call" two weeks later. See the section on
Membership Books for a quotation by him.
Fremont became a station appointment in 1954. The Gold-sboro
District was also formed as a new district in the same
year.
1954 60
1964-68
EDWARD PORTER ARMSTRONG is presently serving as an
associate minister with the Pamlico Parish, and is residing
with his family at 1102 Cherry Lane, New Bern, North Carolina.
1968-69
KERMIT L. BRASWELL is serving as the District Superin-tendent
of the Elizabeth City District, after serving five years
at Queen Street (Kinston), and six years at Westover
(Raleigh). He was a Jurisdictional Conference Delegate in
1980.
WALLACE HINES KIRBY began his itinerant ministry at
Fremont as the first "fulltime" minister of the church. Prior to
—v~.
1962-72
E. CLIFFORD SHOAF is presently serving Mebane since 1978,
after six years as the Director of Field Education, Duke
Divinity School. He and his family reside at 205 S. Fourth St.,
Mebane, North Carolina.
retirement, he was designated "superintendent emeritus."
The children referred to him as "Daddy Barnes."
His funeral was held on March 22, 1961, at Edenton St.
Methodist Church in Raleigh. He was buried at Raleigh's Oak-wood
Cemetery.
1972-76
RUSSELL S. HARRISON and his wife, Julia, are retired and
living at 2629 Cornwallis Road, Durham, North Carolina, after
serving for 42 years in our conference.
THE REV. P.C. YELVERTON was born on January 8, 1933 at
the Wayne County farm of his parents, Thomas Jarvis and
Madie Bell Minshew Yelverton. After the death of his mother in
1936, he was reared in Fremont by his aunt, Miss Clyde M.
Minshew, a present member of the church, and his grand-mother,
Mrs. Pernecie West Minshew, who died in 1948. He
joined the church at the age of 16.
He graduated from Fremont High School in 1950, Atlantic
Christian College in 1953, and took further studies at Duke
Divinity School.
He was ordained Deacon in 1955 and Elder in 1957 and has
served the church for 27 years in the North Carolina Con-ference.
His appointments have been Pollocksville Charge,
Kinston Charge, Brogden Church, Dover Church, Hopewell-
Moriah Charge, Browning-Smith Charge and presently the
Faison United Methodist Church in the Goldsboro District.
1976 I.
JACK M. BENFIELD is the present minister. His wife is the
former JJaannee Wrenn tC_ooaatteess ofr Gearner,. They have two
i ney nave daughters, Terri, age 20, at Peace College, and Susan, age 17,
at home. He served as a Jurisdictional and General Conference
Delegate in 1980.
SONS OF THE CHURCH
THE REV. A. S. BARNES was born July 11, 1873, to Mr. and
Mrs. Wiley Barnes, members of the church. After receiving his
education in Fremont, he went on to attend and was graduated
from Trinity College (now Duke University). He was admitted
on trial into the North Carolina Conference in 1896. Five
charges are listed in his memoir, namely: Wilmington,
Whiteville, Clinton, Oxford, and Smithfield. In 1915, he became
superintendent of the Methodist Orphanage in Raleigh,
remaining in that position for 33 years. In 1948, upon his
10
MEMBERSHIP BOOKS
(1) The oldest membership roll book in the archives is
probably the second one which existed. The first one from 1869
to 1886 is lost. The oldest one on hand has the date 1886 on the
title page, dating it at or after that time. It is assumed from all
evidence that R.C. Beaman revised the rolls sometime around
1886 87. This is based on the entries. At the time of the revision,
the members' names were alphabetized and numbered only 79.
From that point on until September, 1900, the members were
listed chronologically. There were 192 members added to the
roll in that period of time; however, with the losses by death,
transfer, withdrawal, etc., the net membership in 1900 was still
only 125. Toward the end of the book, the membership is again
alphabetized by either T.J. Dailey or D.L. Earnhardt; and once
again, beginning in January, 1903, the membership roll was
kept chronologically until April, 1906. The only member
presently living whose names appears in this book is Miss
Ethel Cooke. She joined the church on March 25, 1906, when she
was 14 years old.
(2) The second oldest membership book in the archives has
the rolls of the six churches on the Fremont circuit at that
time; namely Fremont, Beaman's Chapel, Lebanon, Saulston,
Yelverton, and Black Creek. Some confusion exists in this
book. Entries are made in the previous book until 1906, yet it
appears that this book was begun around 1901 by looking at the
register of marriages. Upon closer examination of the writing,
ink, etc., it is believed that this book was kept concurrently
with the first one for a portion of time, and that someone
transferred certain recorded information that was dated
earlier. This book is on microfilm in the State Archives and
History Library in Raleigh.
The last date of an entry appears to be in 1928. This book is in
great need of repair, but then after 22 years of constant use as a
membership book for six churches, there is no wonder!
(3)The next membership roll book was revised by R.E.
Pittman, and undoubtedly in this book there was also some
overlap during the process. The first marriage registered was
on December 14, 1927, but it appears that the first five
marriages recorded were all copied the same day with the
same pen, the last being June 7, 1928. This coincides with the
last entry in book two.
This particular book has the rolls of four churches: Fremont,
Eureka (formerly Beaman's Chapel), Yelverton, and Black
Creek. It appears from other evidence that these four churches
became a four-point charge about 1920, an arrangement that
remained that way for the next thirty-four years.
Probably the last entry into this book was a note on the
Register of Pastors page, written by the Reverend David M.
Lewis. It reads "The Fremont Methodist Circuit was divided
on September 5, 4:30 p.m. in Eureka Methodist Church. The
First Methodist Church, Fremont, N.C., the Eureka-Yelverton
Methodist Charge, and Black Creek, transfered to the Rocky
Mount District. The charge was divided, and I was the last
pastor of the Fremont Methodist Circuit, (signed) Rev. David
M. Lewis Sept. 6, 1954." This is the only time the church has
been called "First Methodist Church."
There were about 160 members on roll in 1928 when this book
was begun. The roll was then kept chronologically until 1952 at
which time it was once again alphabetized within the same
book.
(4) The fourth membership roll book was revised in October,
1953, with the number of members entered at 282. The
Reverend David M. Lewis was the pastor at that time. It is not
certain why he chose to write the above statement in the other
book rather than this one. This fourth book has the rolls for all
of the churches on the charge, namely, Fremont, Eureka,
Black Creek, and Yelverton.
(5) The membership roll was once again revised in August,
1955, under the pastoral leadership of Wallace H. Kirby. After
the revision, the number entered into the new book was 252. As
mentioned before, the church became a station appointment in
1954, and Mr. Kirby was the first fulltime pastor for the next six
years. These proved to be the most prolific years in mem-bership
gain. Mr. Kirby received 146 members into the church.
During the same period, 69 were lost by death, transfer, etc.
Still the net gain of 77 new members was quite substantial for
this town and country church! The membership had grown to
313 in 1960. This book was used by the next five ministers until
1976.
(6) The present membership book was updated and revised
as of 1976 under the present pastoral administration. See the
section on More Recent Days for information regarding deaths
since June, 1976. One will also find a list of full members at the
end of this book.
LEADERSHIP
In this section certain positions of leadership have been
selected. The fact that these individuals are lifted up is based
primarily on the availability of information regarding names,
dates, etc. as well as their importance. There are many others
through the years who have given untiring effort and time in
many different capacities whose names do not appear on a list.
This is in no way to lessen what they have meant to the church.
Board Chairpersons
No information is available for the years prior to 1913.
191314 George D. Best
1914-26
1926-27
1927 54
No information available
for these years.
J.B. Lane
No information available
for these years. Marvin
Yelverton and James
Bruton thought to have
served some during the
1954-55
1955-56
1956-57
1957-59
195961
1961-62
1962-64
1964 66
1966-67
1967-68
latter part of this period,
but no definite dates.
Thurman Hooks
Glenn Hooks
John B. Mayo
Jesse S. Stewart
Samuel J. Cole
John L. Pippin
Leonard Hooks
Wyatt Whitley
James Bruton
James E. Peacock, Sr.
In 1968, the name changed from Official Board of Stewards to
The Administrative Board
1968-70
1970-72
1972-77
Cecil Evans
Jim Sutton Cobb
Jesse S. Stewart
Beginning in 1973, church years coincided with calendar years
instead of June to June or in the iate fall as in earlier years.
1978-79
1980
F. Lemuel Overman
Mrs. Leroy (Betsy) Johnson
Please note that Betsy Johnson was the first woman to serve in
this capacity.
Lay Leaders
No information is available for period prior to 1923 or for the
years 1930-50.
1923-24 F.M. Watson (church)
G.A. Yelverton (charge)
1924 26 G.R. Benton
1926-30 J. Arthur Best (charge & church)
1950-57 Paul C. Blalock, Sr.
1957-63 John Blackman
1963 66 Thurman Hooks
1966-68 James E. Peacock, Sr.
1968-70 W. Darron Flowers
1970-72 John Blackman
Beginning in 1973, church years coincided with calendar years.
1973-74
1975-78
1979-
Dan Shackleford
W. Darron Flowers
Ken Ellis
Treasurers
No information is available for the years prior to 1939 except
the following:
1905-? W.M. Barnes
1929-30 OR. Aycock
1930-31 J.B. Exum
1934.35 G.A. Yelverton
Other years known are as follows:
1939-40 CD. Hooks
1947-49 Marvin Yelverton
1949-62 James Bruton
1962-68 Burton D. Smith
1968-70 Mrs. Norman (Annette) Yelverton
1970-78 James Bruton
1978- Burton D. Smith
Sunday School Superintendents
No information isavailable prior to 1903 and for the years 1941-
49. It is known mat J.B. Exum, Jr. served longer than 1941 but
it is not known when he stopped or who took his place.
1903-04
1904-36
I 1
32 years!)
P.H. Spence
J. Arthur Best
1936 41 plus J.B. Exum, Jr.
1949 50 James Bruton
1950 53 Thurman Hooks
1953 59 John B. Mayo
1959 61 Samuel J. Cole
1961 63 J.J. Cole, Jr.
1963 65 L.C. Robinson
1965 77 (12 years!) Homer Pierce
1978 80 Dan Shackleford
1981 Bobby Cooley
Organists
In the 1880's and early 1890's the accompanist tor the church
services was Mrs. J.L. (Maude Barden) Bryan.
It is also known that in 1903 the pianist-organist was Miss
Alice Best.
For several years, the accompanist was Charity Darden.
Though the above information is sketchy, it was felt that the
names should be included even if the dates were uncertain.
An October 13, 1928, report of the Woman's Missionary
Society indicated the giving of "$940 to church building under
construction." That was a tremendous gift in that day!
1917-44 (27 years!)
1944-54
Jarvis Hare Jones
Mrs. Joe (Louise) Newsome
It should be noted that it was during this time that the ac-companist,
Mrs. Newsome was also playing for the Missionary
Baptist Church on alternate Sundays. The choirs also sang at
both churches.
1954 66
1966-
Mrs. Leland (Ladelle) Pate
Mrs. Lemuel (Sylvia) Overman
It should be noted also that there were some months of
overlapping when two or more of the accompanists were ac-tive.
BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENTS
"The original church was a frame building, one room, and
was completed in 1873. The church bell was on a post in the
front yard but was later transferred to its proper place in the
steeple." So states a local brief history. It continues: "During
the early part of the century, a section of the front of the church
was partitioned off for Sunday School rooms. Over the years
minor changes in the pulpit and choir loft were also made."
From the March 23, 1923, quarterly conference minutes,
James A. Dailey, the pastor, mentions "plans for a new church
building for Fremont in the near future." The stewards that
year were G.D. Best, J.B. Lane, G.A. Yelverton, E.B.
Yelverton, E.C. Cobb, G.R. Benton, E.G. Deans, J.B. Exum.
The Church Lay Leader was F.M. Watson. Other leaders in-cluded
J. A. Best (Evangelism), Mrs. CD. Hooks (Missionary
Committee), Miss Beulah Hooks (Social Service), G.D. Best
(Stewardship and Tithing), J.B. Lane (Lay Activities).
On January 7, 1924, the pastor reported to the quarterly
conference that "the charge was planning through the efforts
largely of the Women's Societies to put water works in the
parsonage at an early date."
No further mention is made in the quarterly conference
reports about building until January 23, 1926, when N.B.
Strickland, P.C. (Pastor in charge) writes in his report that
there is a "great need for Sunday School rooms and efficient
teachers" in Fremont.
Then a year later on January 16, 1927, a similar report states
"a lack of Sunday School rooms and sufficient number of
teachers." Nothing more that year.
Still another year later on January 22, 1928, the pastor, R.E.
Pittman, wrote that a "carload of brick was given toward a
new church at Fremont and unless this unselfish gift inspires
others to do likewise, I shall be very much disappointed." Six
months later, on June 16, he wrote, "We hope to begin on a new
church at Fremont. Cash is coming in well and enough has
been raised to justify a start. We hope that this new church will
soon be a reality."
12
On April 4, 1929, a resolution was passed at quarterly con-ference
authorizing the trustees to "accept a donation from the
Duke Endowment for the purpose of completing the Fremont
Methodist Church, South." No amount was specified. Then on
September 13, 1929, "our Sunday School building at Fremont
has been started and when completed it will be ample for
future needs of the church."
In the March 16, 1930, minutes still another resolution was
passed "to accept a donation of $2,000 from Duke Endowment
for completing the Fremont Methodist Church, South, par-ticularly
for immediate help on the Sunday School annex." At
the September 14, 1930, quarterly conference, it was stated
"Our Sunday School building at Fremont which we are now
enclosing, will be a great help to our work there."
Why was the completion of this building and renovation work
taking so long? The reader will remember that the carload of
bricks was donated over two and a half years before. Those
who lived then could best answer with one word,
"Depression!" It was not just a one year phenomenon. K.F.
Duval, P.C, in his February 21, 1932, Q.C. report wrote, "Most
of our folk have lost heavily of this world's goods and some
about all they possessed; and, of course, this has had its weight
on many a life. I have tried, God helping me, to encourage such
not to lose their grip on God."
He and God must have been successful as we see evidenced
today and as we see from the record on February 24, 1935, in
E.R. Shuller's report, "the church at Fremont expects to begin
work on the Sunday School annex some time next month. They
have collected and pledged at the present time between four
and five hundred dollars for that purpose." That amount was
probably worth considerably more in 1935 than it was prior to
the Depression.
After another couple of years of struggling, the report at
quarterly conference on May 1, 1937, was "the Fremont Church
School has five new class rooms available which will greatly
relieve the congestion in the church auditorium." If the reader
will recall, they needed this relief in 1923!
"Plans are under way to complete the church building at
Fremont this year. This will involve an expenditure of ap-proximately
$1,250." So states a March 20, 1938, pastor's
report. And on July 16, 1939, "During the quarter, five ad-ditional
Sunday School rooms have been plastered at
Fremont."
According to the brief local history, previously referred to,
the interior of the educational building was completed in 1941
or 1942. This agrees with an article (no date or name of
newspaper) which was published at the dedication of the
building and renovation. In part this article reads "Fremont
Methodists Sunday night will dedicate their recently
remodeled church structure. Bishop Clare Purcell of Charlotte
will preach and a special invitation is extended to all former
pastors and members to be present, the Rev. B.P. Robinson,
pastor of the church said."
"The completed project represented an investment of about
$5,000 for the 250 members of the church and all bills were paid
as the work progressed. A baptismal font has been installed
and an electric cross placed. Ten memorial windows have been
placed." The article then goes on to give information which is
being shared elsewhere. The article has a picture of Rev. B.P.
Robinson, the new completed church, and the old church.
However, someone made a mistake. The picture of the old
church is not our church but some other! It looks nothing like
the picture which you will find at the first of this book.
Nothing else appears in the quarterly conference minutes for
several years concerning building and improvements. David
AA. Lewis was the pastor in 1954 and on September 5, wrote of
"a piece of land being donated in the rear of the Fremont
Church in order that our present plant might be enlarged to
meet the present and future needs of our church and com-munity."
The local history states that "in 1957 the congregation
erected a modern educational building on the rear lot at a cost
of $41,000. It houses six classrooms, a fellowship hall, kitchen,
minister's study, lounge, and toilet facilities. The Exum family
gave the furnishing for the building in memory of John B.
Exum (Jr.) who was superintendent of the Sunday School for a
number of years."
N^Hk
This building was dedicated by Bishop Paul N. Garber on
May 22, 1960, as the Wallace Hines Kirby Building in honor of
the minister serving the church from 1954-60 during the con-struction.
Mr. Kirby was also the first fulltime minister for the
Fremont Church, the charge having been divided in 1954.
The parsonage at that time also had been needing renovation
for some time. After the dedication of the Kirby Building, in-terest
began in renovating the parsonage which was built in
late 1909 or early 1910.
In October, 1960, the plans for remodeling the home were
presented to the Official Board. The estimated cost was
$6,398.47. There was interest at the time for both remodeling
the old parsonage and building a new one. Committees were
appointed to investigate and obtain the data regarding both
plans.
A report was given in May, 1961, regarding remodeling at a
cost of $8,300 and two plans for building a new parsonage were
submitted at a cost of $14,200 and $15,200 respectively. Action
was deferred until later.
i ~i&2i
*mmt. m
meetings, and board meetings, it was finally decided by the
Official Board on August 12, 1962, to "authorize the parsonage
building committee to submit plans to contractors for bids on
the new parsonage." The work was begun in March, 1963 and
was completed in November at a cost of $19,500. Different
organizations and individuals donated the furnishings. The
$11,000 note for parsonage indebtedness on November 2, 1963,
was paid in full on April 9, 1968.
The old parsonage which stood where the present parsonage
now stands was built in late 1909 or early 1910. The deed for the
property was dated March 25, 1909 and was purchased from the
Person family by the church for $750. The trustees at that time
were G.D. Best, EC. Cobb, J.B. Exum, N.D. Minshew, F.E.
Sauls, and W.S. Lane. Of these, G.D. Best, E.C. Cobb, and J.B.
Exum were Fremont members. The others were members of
the other circuit churches. The property upon purchase ex-tended
all the way from Sycamore Street to the property of the
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co.
On August 13, 1909, about five months after the purchase, a
portion of the lot was sold to J.R. Short on condition that "if the
party. ..shall not within two months from this date move and
locate upon the lot herein conveyed, the building used as a
Hotel, formerly the Bardin property, the title to the lot herein
conveyed shall upon repayment immediately revert."
Undoubtedly Mr. Short moved the Hotel to the property. This
is the front portion of the residence of Mrs. John B. Hooks, Jr. A
1902 map of the town showing the location of buildings and
dwellings does not show a building on that corner or where the
parsonage later stood, but it does show a large building in the
geographical center of the block behind the stores on Main
Street where no building now stands. It is our understanding
that this was where the old Bardin Hotel was located. Why did
the trustees want the building to be moved by Mr. Short to its
present location? One answer possibly was to provide more
privacy from the railroad station.
Thus, there have been parsonage families living across from
the church on the corner of Carolina and Sycamore Streets for
almost three quarters of a century!
m, •
•
After several months of deliberations, surveys, committee
13
- V
Before these two parsonages across the street from the
church, a parsonage was located about four blocks away, on
Goldsboro Street. This is now Mrs. Gela Flowers Musgrave's
home. The lot was purchased in 1883 from Mr. and Mrs. W.E.
Fountain. The trustees were J.J Bardin, J.H Barnes, G.D.
Best, W.E. Fountain, James Dickinson, E.S. Dees, and Jno K.
Smith. The deed read that it was "nearly a half acre together
with the houses. ..as a parsonage or house for the preacher in
charge of Wayne circuit of M.E. Church, South," This was the
parsonage for about 27 years.
Where the minister lived prior to this parsonage is not
known. We do know that the preacher in 1881 is listed in the
journal as living in Fremont. No deed, however, has been found
before the one above. Possibly he boarded with someone.
Other major improvements in building and renovations
include the remodeling of the sanctuary in 1966, especially the
chancel and choir areas. New carpeting, dorsal, and kneeling
cushions were installed at that time. The sanctuary was also
air-conditioned at this time.
The pastor's study was moved from the Kirby Building to the
educational annex in 1970. The Reverend E. Clifford Shoaf and
Cecil Evans paneled the study and did the major portion of the
work. Also in 1970, the sanctuary received a major painting and
other repairs.
A new heating and air-conditioning system was installed in
the Kirby Building in 1971.
The Men's Class converted the former pastor's study and
church office in the Kirby Building into a classroom for men in
1972. The parsonage was centrally air-conditioned in that same
year.
New sanctuary lights were installed in 1973 in memory of
Anne Turlington by Mrs. P.M. Best and other relatives and
friends.
The Junior High classroom was enlarged by removing
partitions in 1974. An organ fund was begun also in 1974.
A new air-conditioning unit was purchased in early 1976.
See "More Recent Days" for information since 1976.
WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS
The following synopsis of the history of Fremont's
organizations for women was submitted by Mrs. Bernard Pike,
who undoubtedly had saved it from many years ago. It has no
date. It appears to have been written after 1940. It is printed in
its entirety.
A BRIEF OUTLINE OF
"THE WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY"
OF THE
FREMONT METHODIST CHURCH
As best I can remember, about 1899 or 1900, a small group of
women, twelve or fifteen, I would say, most of them being
members of the Fremonf Methodist Church, organized a
society known as "Home Missions." If I remember correctly,
the Methodist Conference had two societies at this time, The
Home and The Foreign.
The charter members of our organization were: Mrs. W.H.
Speight, who at that time was in charge of the Fremont High
School and Dormitory; Miss Laurie Speight, daughter of Mrs.
W.H. Speight, and who later married Mr. J.B. Hooks; another
daughter of Mrs. W.H. Speight, Miss Daisy, who was the first
wife of Rev. A.S. Barnes; Miss Florence Fields, who married
Mr. CD. Hooks; Mrs. John Davis; Mrs. Geo. D. Best; Mrs.
A.G. Bogue, and Mrs. C.C. Aycock. There were others whose
names I cannot remember. I became a member late in the year
of 1900.
Mrs. C.C. Aycock was the first president of our HOME
MISSION SOCIETY. She was made a Life Member on the
occasion of the society's Annual Conference which was held in
our church in April, 1905. It is interesting to remember that we
werepriviledged in having as our guest at this Conference Miss
Bell H. Bennett, founder of Home Missions. Mrs. Aycock
served as president for a period of twenty-three years, during
which time the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies were
consolidated. Following her, Mrs. Gertrude Exum was elected
president and served eleven years. She retired about 1928,
being followed in order by Mrs. I.F. Yelverton, Mrs. CD.
Hooks, Mrs. CM. Pippin, Mrs. W.A. Copeland, Mrs. J.G.
Mayo, and Mrs. Beulah Hooks Scott.
The consolidation of the Home and Foreign Missions resulted
in the "Women's Missionary Society" whose responsibility
consisted chiefly in carrying on the mission work of "Young
People," "Bright Jewels," and "Baby Division." During the
year 1932 our organization was transferred from the
Washington District to become a part of the New Bern District.
On September 13, 1940 the name "Women's Missionary
Society" was changed to the "Women's Society Of Christian
Service."
The Charter Members have all passed away, as have many
other members. But we know their efforts were not in vain; for
the memory of the great work of those members who are with
us no more serves as an incentive for us. And I feel that the
accomplishments of our present membership of fifty is a fitting
and just tribute to the original "Home Missions."
Respectfully submitted,
Miss Lula Perkins
Author's Note: The organization continued to be called the
Women's Society of Christian Service until 1972 when it was
renamed The United Methodist Women, which it remains
today.
At present the United Methodist Women of Fremont has 73
members in four circles.
The Hooks-Williams Circle is named for Mrs. Clennon D.
(Florence) Hooks, mother of Charles T. Hooks, Sr., and for
Reverend John Cephas Williams, former minister of the
church who died in 1947 while serving Fremont.
The Exum Benton Circle is named for Mrs. George R.
(Margaret) Benton, Sr., mother of Margaret B. Whitley and
Annette B. Yelverton; and for Mrs. John Burt (Gertrude)
Exum, Sr., grandmother of Anne E. Hinnant.
The Annie Best Circle is named for Mrs. Paul M. (Annie)
Best, mother of Eleanor B. Turlington.
The Stewart-Pike Circle is named for present members, Mrs.
Jesse (Jessie) Stewart, who helped organize the circle in 1980;
and for Mrs. Bernard (Mariana) Pike, who served the church
for many years until she recently moved.
Presidents of Women's Organizations
1899-16 Mrs. C.C Aycock
1916 27 Mrs. J.B. (Gertrude) Exum, Sr.
1927 -30 Mrs. I. Frank (Mary Margaret) Yelverton
1930-31 Mrs. CD. Hooks
1931-34 Mrs. CM. Pippin
1934-35 Mrs. W.A. Copeland
1935-37 Mrs. J.G. Mayo
1937-38 Mrs. H.G. Selby
1938-40 Mrs. Beulah H. Scott
1940 42 Mrs. J.K (Christine) Richardson
1942 ? Mrs. Bernard (Mariana) Pike
Information incomplete on these years
J.B. (Sue) Hooks, Jr.
Marvin (Delia) Yelverton
J.M. (Helen) O'Neal
W.R. Dees
John (Libba) Blackman
Beulah H. Scott
Oscar (Evelyn) Turlington
Norman (Annette) Yelverton
Lamont (Polly) Whitley
Hugh (Eleanor) Turlington
Jesse (Jessie) Stewart
C. Taylor (Mary Jo) Hooks
Cecil (Hazel) Evans
Marvin (Delia) Yelverton
Russell (Julia) Harrison
Lamont (Polly) Whitley
Burton D. (Martha Lou) Smith
1948-49 Mrs.
1949-50 Mrs.
1950-51 Mrs.
1951-52 Mrs.
1952 54 Mrs.
1954-57 Mrs.
1957-59 Mrs.
195961 Mrs.
1961-63 Mrs.
1963-65 Mrs.
1965-67 Mrs.
1967-69 Mrs.
1969-72 Mrs.
1972-73 Mrs.
1974-75 Mrs.
1976 79 Mrs.
1980- Mrs.
14
MEMORIALS AND GIFTS
There have been many gifts in memory and in honor of
persons associated with Fremont United Methodist Church.
These cannot be listed in their entirety. For further knowledge,
please consult the Memorial book in the case in the vestibule of
the church. Listed below are some of the major gifts.
Stained Glass Windows (with inscriptions) c. 1942
G.D. Best 1848-1930 Steward 55 years
Clennon D. Hooks 1872-1941 and Florence Hooks 1886-1940
Pearl Sallenger Hayes 1886-1940
Jarvis Hare Jones - Organist 27 years
John B. Hooks and Laurie S. Hooks
Jake Goodman Mayo 1888-1940
Cora Becton Newsome 1857-1928
Matt Becton Peacock 1888-1918
Thomas Waters Corbin and Susie Boggs Corbin
Memorial Pews (north side near front of sanctuary) c. 1942
Jeremiah Shackleford & Emma Thompson Shackleford by
Arthur Shackleford
Herman Paul Shackleford 1895-1918 by Arthur Shackleford
Mrs. Gertrude Exum
Rufus Milton Batts 1875-1933
Other Pews (north side of sanctuary) given by
Isaac Dees
Hugh A. Evans
Jesse M. Bogue
Dr. C.H. Rand
C. Douglas Hooks
Charles T. Hooks
H. Milton Best
Carrie Boyd Dees
Pews (south side of sanctuary) given by building committee
P.C. Blalock, Chm.
J. A. Best
W.Y. Whitley
G.W. Davis, Treas.
Dr. G.R. Benton
W.P. Jones
J.W. Aycock
J.B. Exum
H.J. Dickinson
M.C. Yelverton
J.B. Lane
Pews (center section) given in memory of
Barden Vance
Ida Garris Hooks
Frank S. Hooks
Clarence Hooks
by Beulah Hooks Scott
Brass Vase given by Braxton Davis in memory of Mrs. Eunice
Davis
Chimes given by J.B. Lane Family and Leroy Hayes in
memory of Lane Yelverton
Sound Board given by Jesse Davis in memory of Mrs. Ora B.
Davis
Communion Tray given by Judy Thompson in memory of Mr.
and Mrs. June Davis
Vestibule Picture, Fernery, and Sconces given by the children
in memory of Dr. and Mrs. George R. Benton, Sr.
Hat and Coat Rack given by Mr. and Mrs. W.Y. Whitley.
Sanctuary Lights given by Mrs. P.M. Best, family and friends
in memory of Anne Best Turlington, March 6, 1947-April 11,
1970.
Pulpit Bible given by J.J. Cole in 1956.
Altar Paraments given by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Exum in
memory of John B. Exum, Jr. 1957
Memorial Case in Vestible in memory of John B. Hooks, Jr.
Dorsal (Dossal) given by General Thomas Corbin in 1956 (no
longer hanging)
Communion Rail Cushions given by Mrs. J.K. Richardson 1956.
Lecturn Light given by Mrs. Reuben Hooks.
Illuminated Cross (now in fellowship hall) given by Cobb
Family in 1942 in memory of Edgar Clarence Cobb and Minnie
Bryan Cobb
Church School Furniture (Kirby Building) given by the Exum
Family in memory of John B. Exum, Jr.
Piano (fellowship hall) given by General Thomas Corbin in
honor of Sylvia Overman 1977.
Pew Cushions given by Mrs. J.K. Richardson in memory of J.
Kyle Richardson 1980
Antique Needlepoint Picture: "Christ and Woman at Well"
given in memory of Wyatt Whitley 1980
Draperies in choir room given by Mr. and Mrs. John Blackman
1981
in memory of members and relatives of members who died
in 1980
in honor of the 60-uppers in the church
in honor of the choir members
New flooring in fellowship hall and kitchen given in memory of
Jesse Stewart through memorial funds and by the family 1981
Library and Archives Room furnished in memory of E.
Thurman Hooks by memorial funds and the family 1981
Allen Digital Computer Organ by memorial funds and gifts by
many in 1976. Please consult memorial book in vestibule.
Hymnals and Pew Bibles were given in memory, in honor, and
by special gifts.
In addition to the above gifts, the Memorial Committee in
consultation with the families has used memorial monies for
supplying many needs throughout the buildings, including
carpeting, drapes, painting, etc.
Chancel Chairs given by Dr. and Mrs. George R. Benton, Sr.
Communion Table given in memory of Frank M. Watson by
Mrs. Frank M. Watson.
Pulpit in memory of Charity Darden Watson 1868-1913 by
children
Cross and Candlesticks in memory of J. Rose, Jr., by Mr. and
Mrs. John C. Rose, Sr.
Offering Plates in memory of William D. Mason, Jr., by Mr.
and Mrs. W.D. Mason, Sr.
Baptismal Font in memory of
Wyatt E. Yelverton
Margaret M. Yelverton
Walter R. Whitley
Elizabeth Y. Whitley,
by Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Whitley c. 1942.
Piano in memory of Harvey Whitley by Mrs. Harvey Whitley
and Lamont Whitley.
Hymnal Board in memory of John B. Exum, Sr.
Hymnal Board in memory of Mrs. Ora B. Davis.
Brass Vase given by Mrs. Reuben Hooks.
15
MORE RECENT DAYS
(1976-Now)
For almost five years now the author has had the privilege of
serving Fremont United Methodist Church. At the first Ad-ministrative
Board meeting in the summer of 1976, one goal
which he mentioned was the writing of this history. Now it has
become a reality. Please bear with him now as he walks
through these last few years with the reader.
An organ fund had been begun in 1974 and as of May, 1976, a
total of $2,396 had been given. In September, the Ad-ministrative
Board appointed a committee to investigate the
cost and to make a recommendation for a new organ. The
committee brought a report in October, recommending the
purchase of an Allen Digital Computer Organ for $12,667.20.
The board approved.
At the same time, the furnace in the main building, which
had given problems and had been constantly repaired for
several years, finally became too dangerous to operate. It was
decided that this also was a real need. By faith, the board
approved the combining of this effort with the drive for the
organ. With the use of some memorial funds and special
contributions by the people, both the new organ and the new
furnace were installed and fully paid for in December, 1976, at
a cost of almost $15,000!
These efforts seemed to motivate the people in other areas as
well. New choir robes were given in memory and honor of loved
ones in 1977. A piano for the fellowship hall was given by
General Thomas Corbin in honor of Sylvia Overman, church
organist. A new roof was donated for the Kirby Building by Mr.
and Mrs. D. Frank Hinnant in memory of Mrs. J.B. Exum, Jr.
Since that time, a great deal of effort has been made in im-proving
our buildings. With the exception of about four
classrooms, every part of the buildings has been painted inside
and most of the outside including the roof. A small fire during
the Christmas season of 1979 made it necessary to paint the
sanctuary. New carpeting covers the upstairs of the annex and
in two classrooms in the Kirby Building. A new floor has been
given for the fellowship hall and kitchen by the family in
memory of Jesse Stewart. Beautiful draperies adorn the choir
room, donated by Mr. and Mrs. John Blackman. They also
contributed a glass fireplace screen for the fellowship hall. A
new library and archives room is being furnished in memory of
E. Thurman Hooks, and new carpeting for the entire down
stairs of the annex is to be installed in May, 1981
.
Shrubbery was added to the south line of the property,
providing much beauty to the landscape. A large lot behind the
Kirby Building was purchased in 1979. This is presently being
used for recreation. Additional shrubbery lines the back of that
lot also.
The 80 Uppers included (front row, left to right) Mrs.
Lillie Williamson, Mrs. John Walker, Mrs. Beulah Davis,
Miss Ethel Cooke, Mrs. W. Frank Yelverton, Mrs. F. M.
Watson, Mrs. A. J. Flowers; (second row) Wyatt Whitley,
Mrs. I. Frank Yelverton, Mrs. Harvey Dickinson, Harvey
Dickinson, John C. Rose, Mrs. Beulah Scott, Mrs.
Elizabeth Keith, Mrs. J. K. Richardson, J. Kyle
Richardson.
The first annual 80-UPPERS DAY was held in 1978. This day
honors all members and constituents who have reached the age
of 80 or above. On that first occasion, fifteen of the twenty-two
were present. Their picture (above) appeared on the front page
of the North Carolina Christian Advocate on March 18, 1978,
and in the local newspaper, The Weekly News. This continues
to be an annual event.
In 1978, the first Homecoming Day in several years was held
with the Reverend LaFon Vereen, former pastor, delivering
the sermon.
In March, 1981, the Ladies Class was renamed the "Scott-
Richardson Class" in honor of Beulah Hooks Scott and
Christine Richardson. Few people have contributed so much in
so many ways as have these two ladies through their gifts,
their labors and their service.
In the past four years, an emphasis has been placed on
missions with specific directions toward world hunger and
missionary salary support. Dr. and Mrs. Kennie Linn,
missionaries to India, have been the recipients. It is an-ticipated
that they will visit the church in the spring of 1981
when they retire and return home.
This special emphasis on missions placed Fremont number
one in the Goldsboro District with $2,500 in 1978. In 1979,
Fremont was second only to the largest church in the district,
and in 1980 the giving had slipped to third behind the two
largest churches-but not far behind!
The senior high and junior high United Methodist Youth
Fellowships have contributed a large part of these monies
through 24 hour fasts and rock-a-thons during the Lenten
season.
In addition, our United Methodist Women continue to do
great things on the conference, district, and local levels.
It is difficult to evaluate a church's ministry and mission to
the people, the community, and the world. Dollars and cents
can be computed, but services and prayers and other in-tangibles
cannot be.
In many moving and touching moments, one becomes a part
of the lives of others and subsequently a part of one another's
personal and family histories through the years. During these
brief years these moments have been experienced.
Since the author became the pastor in June, 1976, there have
been twenty-four deaths among the membership. In addition,
there have been several others among the constituency. While
this may not sound like a lot for a large church in a large city, it
is quite a lot for a town and country church of about 330
members.
The love which flows to and fro in these situations can only be
measured subjectively and in the heart. As we list the mem-bers
who have died these past four and a half years, it is done
so with love, remembrances and prayer.
Hooks
Rose
Best
Mrs. Michael (Suzanne)
Hugh A. Evans
Mrs. John C. (Ruby)
Mrs. Paul M. (Annie)
Hubert D. Corbin
J. Thadeus Hooks
James L. Bruton
Charles M. Pippin
Robert L. Stevenson, Sr.
W. Wayne Hooks
Steven Scott Yelverton
Marvin Yelverton
Mrs. Edgar L. Best
Wyatt Y. Whitley
Jesse S. Stewart
Mrs. Marvin (Delia)
J. Madero O'Neal
Mrs. Charles (Ruth)
Laura Pippin Danka
Harvey Dickinson
E. Thurman Hooks
Mrs. George (Beulah) Davis
Mrs. W. Wayne (Joyce) Hooks
Mrs. Jim Sutton (Deane) Cobb
Mrs. Preston (Eleanor) Day
Yelverton
Pippin
March 3, 1977
March 24, 1977
June 10, 1977
November 13, 1977
February, 1978
July 20, 1978
August 27, 1978
September 9, 1978
November 21, 1978
January 21, 1979
March 10, 1979
April 3, 1979
June 30, 1979
October 2, 1979
November 10, 1979
February 19, 1980
March 4, 1980
March 20, 1980
April 9, 1980
May 4, 1980
June 21, 1980
October 25, 1980
December 16, 1980
January 28, 1981
April 21, 1981
16
North Carolina State Libra,
Raleigh, N. C.
PRESENT MEMBERSHIP
Following is a list of those persons who were full members of
the church as of 1981.
Abernathy, Mrs. Gregg (Joan)
Aycock, Beverly Yelverton
Aycock, Mrs. Glenn (Ruth)
Bal lance, Mrs. Dorothy S.
Barker, Mrs. Lynn Evans
Barnes, J. Dempsey
Barnes, Mrs. J. Dempsey (Rena)
Bell, Mrs. Lee Roy (Flora Crews)
Bearnon, Mrs. Dwaine (Mary Sue)
Benfield, Mrs. Jack M. (Jane C.)
Benfield, Terri
Benfield, Susan
Benton, Binford E. Jr.
Benton, Donna Lynn
Benton, Mary Mumford
Blackman, Dr. Jesse A.
Blackman, Mrs. Jesse A. (Norma)
Blackman, John
Blackman, Mrs. John (Libba)
Blackman, T. Gibson
Blalock, Paul C. Jr.
Blalock, Mrs. Paul C. Jr. (Teenie)
Blalock, Paul Cameron III
Blow, A. Carlton
Bogue, Mrs. Susie Mae
Bolding, Mrs. Robert (Barbara)
Bolding, Lori
Broome, Mrs. L.R. (Dorothy)
Brown, Mrs. Joe (Betty)
Bruton, Mrs. James L. (Winnie Dorothy)
Butler, Mrs. Nannie G.
Cobb, Jim Sutton
Cobb, Kay
Coe, Mrs. Charles (Sally L.)
Cole, Mrs. J.J. Jr. (Sarah)
Cole, J. Jerald III
Cooke, Ethel
Cooley, Bobby
Cooley, Mrs. Bobby (Penny)
Cooley, Bob
Cooley, Burt
Corbin, General Thomas G.
Cox, Mrs. John (Mary)
Curtis, Mrs. Kay Y.
Danka, William
Davis, Alice Lorene
Davis, Arnold
Davis, Mrs. Arnold (Lillie)
Davis, Mrs. Braxton (Winnie Ruth)
Davis, Mrs. Carl (Pauline)
Davis, Mrs. Randall
Davis, Mrs. Russell Sr. (Virginia)
Davis, Russell Jr.
Davis, Spencer LaVerne
Davis, William G.
Davis, Winston
Davis, Mrs. Winston (Bertha)
Davis, Gary
Dees, Isaac Jr.
Dickinson, Mrs. Harvey (Ada)
Drummond, William M.
Drummond, Mrs. W.M. (Vicki)
Dubberly, Clinton D.
Dubberly, Mrs. C. D. (Lamonte)
Dubberly, David
Edmundson, Mrs. Donald (Phyllis)
Edmundson, Don
Edmundson, Charles
Edmundson, Tracey
Edwards, Sidney
Ellis, Ken
Ellis, Mary Ellen
Ellis, Mrs. Barnes (Molly)
Evans, Andy
Evans, Cecil
Evans, David C.
Evans, Mrs. Hugh A. (Elizabeth)
Evans, Junius
Evans, Mrs. Junius (Bobbie)
Evans, Steve
Evans, Kenneth
17
Evans, Mrs. Robert (Rhonda)
Exum, J. Burt III
Ferrell, Mrs. George (Barbara)
Ferrell, Laura Gayle
Fields, Willie
Flowers, Mrs. A.J. (Melissa)
Flowers, Lou Ellen
Flowers, Mrs. W.A.
Flowers, Darron
Flowers, Mrs. Darron (Mary Lee)
Flowers, Keith
Flowers, Beth
Gamble, James O. Jr.
Gamble, Mrs. James O. Jr. (Emily)
Gamble, James O. 1 1
1
Gibson, Mrs. Billy (Scotty)
Gilleran, Mrs. Dennis (Linda R.)
Hayes, Mrs. Bert (Kirk)
Hayes, Bill
Hicks, George
Hicks, Mrs. George (Lib)
Hill, Mrs. T.C. Jr. (Isabelle)
Hill, T.C. Ill
Hill, Mrs. T.C. Ill (Ava)
Hinnant, D. Frank
Hinnant, Mrs. D. Frank (Anne E.)
Hinnant, David
Hinton, Mrs. T.W.
Holland, Gifford G.
Hooks, Charles T. Sr.
Hooks, Mrs. Charles T. Sr. (Cora)
Hooks, C. Taylor Jr.
Hooks, Mrs. C. Taylor Jr. (Mary Jo)
Hooks, Kim
Hooks, Charles Till
Hooks, Curtis Wayne
Hooks, Mrs. Earl (Ruth)
Hooks, Alma
Hooks, Lewis
Hooks, Mrs. Thurman (Edna)
Hooks, Glenn
Hooks, Mrs. Glenn (Hazel)
Hooks, Rob
Hooks, Jacob I. Ill
Hooks, Mrs. J. Thaddeus (Bebe)
Hooks, Mrs. John B. Jr. (Sue C.)
Hooks, Leland
Hooks, Leonard
Hooks, Mrs. Leonard (Edith)
Hooks, Matthew Earl Jr.
Hooks, Michael Lee
Hooks, Katherine
Hooks, Michael
Hooks, Mrs. Wayne (Nona)
Home, Mrs. J.D.
Home, Mrs. Jerry W. (Teresa H.)
Jackson, Elizabeth
Jackson, Jennifer
Jackson, Mrs. Margaret T.
Johnson, Mrs. Jerry (Libby C.)
Johnson, Leroy
Johnson, Mrs. Leroy (Betsy)
Johnson, Lynn
Johnson, Doug
Johnson, Mark
Johnson, Mrs. Mark (Cheryl)
Jones, R. Donald
Jones, Mrs. R. Donald (Liz)
Jones, Don
Jones, Lisa
Jones, Randy
Kearney, Mrs. Bill (Julia H.)
Keith, Mrs. C.G. (Elizabeth)
Kyles, Mrs. Allen (Anita)
Lambert, Mrs. Rusty (Judith)
Langston, Jane
Langston, William L. 1 1
1
Lee, Ava
Lee, Mrs. Waverly (Peggy)
Lee, Edith
Litchworth, Mrs. Stephen (Edwina)
MacMillan, George
MacMillan, Jimmy
MacMillan, Hope
Mason, W. Donald
Mason, Mrs. W. Donald (Mary Love)
Mason, Libby
Mason, Steve
Mason, Donna
18
Matthews, Larry
Matthews, Mrs. Larry (Linda)
Matthews, Bryan
Mayo, David M.
Mayo, Mrs. John B. (Adelaide)
Mayo, Ann Reid
Milleson, Mrs. Rick (Jean E.)
Minshew, Miss Clyde
Minshew, Mrs. Mabel
Mdore, Mrs. Sally P.
Mooring, Deborah Lynn
Mooring, Mrs. Donald (Linda)
Mooring, Mrs. Marvin (Virginia)
Mooring, Sue Katherine
McBride, Mrs. CD. (Eliza)
Nelms, Julian
Nelms, Mrs. Julian (Gwynne)
O'Connell, Mrs. Elizabeth
O'Neal, Ben Ray
O'Neal, Mrs. J. Madero (Helen)
O'Neal, Joel
O'Neal, Mrs. Joel (Judy N.)
O'Neal, Melissa
Outland, Mrs. Lena A.
Overman, Lemuel
Overman, Mrs. F. Lemuel (Sylvia)
Overman, Fred
Pate, Mrs. Gerald (Judith)
Peacock, Mrs. Clarence Jr. (Jessie)
Peacock, Mrs. Frank L. Jr. (Mary Hall)
Peacock, Howard
Peacock, James
Peacock, James E. Sr.
Peacock, Mrs. James E. Sr. (Nancy R.)
Peacock, John R.
Peacock, Dr. James E. Jr.
Peacock, Kay
Peacock, Raymond
Peacock, Mrs. Raymond (Betsy)
Pennington, Mrs. Allyne
Peoples, Mrs. Frank (Anne Y.)
Pierce, Homer
Pierce, Mrs. Homer (Ida Jean)
Pierce, Sammy
Pierce, Frank
Pierce, Patty
Pike, Mrs. Clarence (Evelyn)
Pippin, Charles R.
Pippin, Mrs. Earl (Edna)
Pippin, John L.
Pippin, Mrs. John L. (Inez)
Price, Mrs. Theodore (Corrine)
Price, Connie
Price, Jerry
Richardson, Mrs. J. Kyle (Christine)
Rimberg, Mrs. John (Joella)
Rollins, Mrs. Gary (Connie)
Rose, Gary
Rose, John C.
Rose, Kent
Rose, William Dickinson
Sager, Kathryn Joanne
Sasser, Mrs. El wood Sr. (Frances)
Sasser, El wood Jr.
Sasser, Frank
Sasser, James Wyatt
Sasser, Sammy
Sasser, Mrs. Sammy (Winnie Sue D.)
Scott, Mrs. Beulah Hooks
Shackletord, Dan
Shackleford, Mrs. Dan (Grey)
Shackletord, Jeffrey
Singleton, John Sr.
Singleton, Mrs. John Sr.
Singleton, John Jr.
Skinner, Mrs. Michael (Mary Lucy)
Smith, Burton D.
Smith, Mrs. Burton D. (Martha Lou)
Smith, Freddie
Smith, Burt
Smith, Catherine E.
Smith, Mrs. Ed (Martha)
Smith, Mrs. Phillis C.
Smith, Mrs. Ralph Sr. (Grace)
19
Smith, Ralph Jr.
Smith, Mrs. Ralph Jr. (Betsy)
Smith, Brad
Smith, Lee
Smith, Mrs. Rex (Linda B.)
Smith, Sandra Lee
Starling, James T.
Starling, Mrs. James T. (Lillian)
Stevenson, Mrs. Robert L. Sr. (Faye)
Stevenson, Robert L. Jr.
Stevenson, Mrs. Robert L. Jr. (Susan D.)
Stewart, Henry L.
Stewart, Mrs. Jesse S. (Jessie)
Stewart, Keith
Stewart, Mrs. Keith (Lynda)
Strickland, Timothy
Suggs, Mrs. Billy S.
Sullivan, Mrs. John (Sara P.)
Swindell, Mrs. Scott (Susan)
Taylor, Mrs. Kathryn
Taylor, Lynn
Taylor, Robert L.
Thornton, Mrs. S.D. (Ruth)
Thompson, Mary T.
Triana, Mrs John (Belle P.)
Treadaway, Mrs. H.H. (Mary Jane)
Turlington, Mrs. Hugh (Eleanor B.)
Turlington, Mrs. Oscar (Evelyn)
Turner, Mrs. Terry
Valley, Mrs Muriel P.
Watson, Mrs. Frank M. (Edith)
Wetzell, Mrs. Ralph (Diana)
Whitford, Mrs. Thomas A. (Teenie)
Whitford, Ella Ann
Whittord, Tommy
Whitley, D.H.
Whitley, Mrs. Harvey (Margaret)
Whitley, H. Lamont
Whitley, Mrs. H. Lamont (Polly)
Whitley, Dr. H.L. Jr.
Whitley, Mrs. H.L. Jr. (Candy)
Whitworth, Mrs. Richard (Frances)
Wiggs, Mrs. Charles (Hazel)
Winbon, Doug
Winbon, Mrs. Clarence (Maude)
Winders, Charles
Wyndham, Mrs. Vickie
Wooten, Robbie
Wooten, Mrs. Robbie (Terry)
Worrell, Mrs. Frank (Carolyn)
Yelverton, Deborah Ann
Yelverton, George E. Sr.
Yelverton, Mrs. George E. Sr. (Kay)
Yelverton, Eddie
Yelverton, Bill
Yelverton, Mrs. I. Frank (Mary Margaret)
Yelverton, Jack
Yelverton, Mrs. Jack (Lida)
Yelverton, John
Yelverton, Mrs. John (Reba)
Yelverton, John Edwards
Yelverton, Mrs. John E. (Patty)
Yelverton, Patrick
Yelverton, Mrs. Norman (Annette)
Yelverton, Stephen T.
Yelverton, Mrs. J. Tom (Leila)
Yelverton, Mrs. W. Frank (Ann)
Carolina State Library
igh, N- Q.
20
GC 287.6756395 B465f
Benfield, Jack M.
Fremont United Methodist Church, 1869-19
III III
3 3091 00079 1111
DATE DUE
DEMCO 38-297